EC to double women’s reserved seat security deposit

The Election Commission (EC) wants to raise the amount of security deposit for women competing in national polls for reserved seats in Parliament, from the existing Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000.

On Sunday, the commission finalised the draft of an amendment to the Jatiya Sangsad (Women’s Reserved Seat) Election Act 2004 that contains the provision, in a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal.

The draft will now be sent to the law ministry for vetting, and then will be placed before the cabinet for approval. After that, it will be placed in Parliament, Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam told reporters after the meeting.

This amendment also includes the provision of increasing women’s reserved seats from 45 to 50. This matter has already been included in the law ministry schedule.

Existing laws allow 45 days for election in reserved seats. In the amendment, it has been increased to 90 days, similar to the election of a regular parliament member.

Regarding the presidential election, the EC secretary said, “The presidential election will be held between January 23 and February 23. The process has already started. The date of the CEC meeting with the speaker will be set after contacting the Parliament Secretariat.”