The debate is still on among the government's policy makers whether the women representatives will be elected directly or by the lawmakers. Number of seats has also not been fixed.

"We are planning to reintroduce reserve seats for women in parliament and a bill will be placed before the House in the upcoming session beginning on January 18 to amend the constitution," Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed told The Daily Star Thursday night.

He said the final decision on the women seats would be taken after the return of the prime minister from the Saarc summit in Islamabad.

The government is now considering several proposals including the old system with 30 reserve seats elected by the lawmakers, said sources in the law ministry.

According to another proposal, the number of seats will be raised to either 50 or 60 and the candidates will be elected either through general election or by the lawmakers, the sources added.

The ruling BNP pledged before 2001 general election that if voted to power, it would introduce direct election for reserved seats of women and increase their number.

In her winding-up speech at the second session of the 8th Jatiya Sangsad, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Khaleda Zia assured that a constitution amendment bill would be placed before the House at its third session to reintroduce the women seats.

But the assurance was not fulfilled and the sitting parliament passed over two years keeping the reserve seats for women vacant.

Considering the empowerment of women, 15 reserve seats were introduced for them in parliament for 10 years in 1972. Later, the number was increased to 30.

As the tenure was over, the reserve seats were reintroduced for another 10 years in 1990.

The present parliament has been constituted without reserve seats for women.