JS women seats to be distributed in this session
Staff Correspondent
A meeting of the ruling BNP last night decided to distribute 45 reserved seats for women in parliament in the current session and finalised draft of rules for the distribution in line with the 14th constitutional amendment. The distribution process will begin with the approval of the draft by the cabinet that holds its regular weekly meeting today instead of Monday. Held with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the chair, the meeting was attended, among others, by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Health Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda and Agriculture Minister MK Anwar. According to the amendment passed on May 16, the 45 reserve seats will be distributed proportionately among parties with representation in the Jatiya Sangsad. Sources said the meeting also discussed a writ petition filed by eight rights organisations challenging the provision for reserved seats for women in parliament. Moudud and other legal experts present at the meeting said the writ petition would not hinder formulation of rules and distribution of the seats as the High Court did not issue any rule on the government.
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