The country has been led by women for the past three decades. Sometimes Begum Khaleda Zia, sometimes Sheikh Hasina came to power. Now, after a long 35 years, there is a possibility of a male prime minister coming to the country again. Therefore, women’s participation will not be left behind.

A total of 2,569 candidates have filed nomination papers to contest the upcoming elections. Of these, 107 are women, which is 4.26 percent of the total candidates. Of these, 67 are party candidates and the remaining 40 are independents.

How many women candidates are there in each party?

In this regard, the country’s largest party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is currently ahead. They have nominated a maximum of 11 women leaders as candidates for various seats. One of them was BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. With her death, the number has reduced to 10.

On the other hand, the youth-led National Citizens Party (NCP) has nominated three women out of its 44 candidates. However, several women candidates from the party have already resigned. Among them, Dr. Tasneem Zara has decided to contest as an independent. The rest have decided not to contest.

However, religious parties, including NCP’s ally Jamaat-e-Islami, have not nominated any women as candidates. Islamic parties have not fielded women candidates in any elections in the past.

BNP’s female candidates who

The female candidates for the paddy sheaf are: Natore-1 Farzana Sharmin, Jessore-2 Mocha. Sabira Sultana, Jhalokati-2 Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto, Sherpur-1 Sansila Zebrin, Manikganj-3 Afroza Khan Rita, Dhaka-14 Sanjida Islam Tuli, Faridpur-2 Shama Obaid, Sylhet-2 Mocha. Tahsina Rushdir, Faridpur-3 Nayab Yusuf Kamal and Nadira Mithu in Madaripur-1 constituency.

NCP’s female candidates who

Jhalokati-1 Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, Dhaka-19 Dilshana Parul and Dhaka-20 Nabila Tasnid.

Among other parties, there are five female candidates in the Jatiya Party (GM Quader), four in the Mass Solidarity Movement, three in the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, and three in the Mass Rights Council.

However, since AB Party is in the Jamaat-led alliance and Gana Sanghati Andolan and Gana Adhikar Parishad are in the BNP-led alliance, there is little chance of women ultimately being elected to these seats.

Who is ahead in wealth?

BNP is ahead in this regard too. The wealthiest among the female candidates is Afroza Khanam Rita, the party’s nominee for the Manikganj-3 constituency. Her annual income is 1 crore 60 lakh 98 thousand 638 taka. The market value of movable assets is 85 crore 72 lakh 14 thousand 598 taka. She has 164 boris of gold. She has immovable assets of 11 crore 38 lakh 31 thousand taka.

Rita Munnu is the chairman of the Group of Industries. According to the information given in the affidavit, her annual income is 1 crore 60 lakh 98 thousand 638 taka. Educational qualification is B.Com (Hons). There are 9 cases against her. The market value of Rita’s movable assets is 85 crore 72 lakh taka. She has 5 crore 86 lakh in cash. She has 164 gold bars. Immovable assets are 11 crore 38 lakh taka. Bank loans are 20 crore 27 lakh 61 thousand 343 taka.

Among the female candidates, Rita is followed by former BNP MP Rumin Farhana in terms of income. She was expelled from BNP for running as an independent candidate in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency after not getting party nomination. Her annual income is more than 98 lakh taka.

Rumin Farhana owns five kathas of land on Laboratory Road in Dhanmondi, five kathas of land in Lalmatia, and five flats. She inherited all of these. That’s why she didn’t show the price.

Rumin has a 1,258 square foot commercial space in Paltan, Dhaka. He has shown the price as Tk 6.5 million in his affidavit. According to his income tax return for the 2025-26 fiscal year, his income is Tk 9.714 million. In the affidavit submitted in 2019, his income was Tk 4.34 million. His income has increased 22 times in six years.

Rumin, a lawyer by profession, has 32 lakh 14 thousand taka in cash and bank accounts. In the affidavit, he stated that he received 10 bhori of gold ornaments as a gift.

Dr. Tasneem Zara, who resigned from the NCP due to its alliance with Jamaat, has become an independent candidate in Dhaka-9 constituency. She has assets of about 2 million taka. Her annual income is more than 7 million taka.

Tasneem Zara had announced on Facebook that she had raised 4.7 million taka for the election. In her affidavit, she stated that she would use that money to conduct the election.

He has given information that he has no immovable property. The value of the immovable property is 22 lakh 30 thousand 190 taka. However, the amount of taxable assets is 19 lakh 10 thousand 509 taka. He has Zara jewelry worth 2.5 lakh taka. He has 10 thousand 19 taka deposited in his name in the bank, 16 lakh taka in cash and 2 thousand 270 British pounds.

Sansila Sabrin Priyanka, a UK degree holder, is a doctor by profession. There is no case against this BNP candidate. Her annual income is about seven lakh taka. In her affidavit, Priyanka has mentioned that she has 29 lakh 73 thousand taka. She received 60 bhori worth of gold ornaments as a gift during her marriage. Her husband has 50 bhori worth of gold ornaments. She has no movable assets. However, she has a two-unit 2,700 square foot flat in Mirpur, Dhaka, which she got from her father as immovable assets.

BNP candidate for Faridpur-2 constituency Shama Obaid’s profession is business. He is the managing director of Allure Builders Limited. His annual income is 21 lakh 89 thousand taka. He owns movable assets worth 4 crore 37 lakh 85 thousand 806 taka. He also has a jeep worth 3 million taka. The current value of the immovable assets is 9 crore taka. He has a 3 thousand 245 square feet flat in Banani. There were 17 cases against Shama. He was acquitted and released from all of them.

Tahsina Rushdi, wife of missing BNP leader Ilyas Ali, is a former deputy registrar of Dhaka University. This candidate from Sylhet-2 constituency has written in her affidavit that her sources of income are pension and savings certificates. Her annual income is Tk 9,52,387. She has movable assets worth about Tk 1.5 crore. She has 40 tons of gold ornaments obtained through marital sources. She owns about six acres of agricultural land.

Three businesswomen, monthly income less than 100,000

According to Nadira Mithu’s affidavit, she is a businessman. This candidate from Madaripur-1 constituency has an annual income of Tk 10 lakh 38 thousand. She has movable assets worth Tk 1 crore 72 lakh 37 thousand. She owns two flats in Khilgaon and New Eskaton in the capital.

Sabira Sultana of Jessore-2 constituency has a higher secondary education. According to her affidavit, her profession is housewife, business and social service. Her annual income is 677,179 taka. She owns assets worth 5 crore taka at the current market value, including movable and immovable assets.

Elaine Bhutto of Jhalakathi-2 constituency has an annual income of 673,453 taka. According to the affidavit, her profession is business. Nayab Yusuf of Faridpur-3 constituency is also business. Her annual income is 895,000 taka. The value of immovable assets is about 50 million taka.