Parliament on Wednesday passed the Jatiya Sangsad (Women Reserved Seat) Election (Amendment) Bill, 2023 with an aim to bring an amendment to the existing law of 2004.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq moved the bill in the House and it was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudury in the chair.
Piloting the bill, the minister said, the amount of security deposit for contesting in women's reserved seats of the Jatiya Sangsad has been increased to Tk 20,000 from Tk 10,000.
The amount of security deposit for contesting in general seats of the Jantiya Sangsad is also Tk 20,000, he added.
The draft law also proposed to hold by-polls to women's reserved seats, if any of the seats became vacant, within 90 days like the general seats, which was 45 days, according to the proposed bill.
“The law on women reserve seat is obviously glorious for the women, but it would be more commendable when they [the women community] represent in parliament after participating in the elections”, said Gano Forum lawmaker Mokabbir Khan of Sylhet-1 constituency while presenting his amendment on the draft law.
