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Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) has slammed the extension of reserved seats for women in parliament for 25 more years without keeping the provision of election.
The parliament, on July 8, unanimously passed the Constitution (17th Amendment) Bill 2018, enhancing the tenure of women lawmakers for 50 reserved seats.
Strongly criticising the amendment, the BMP said the women community will be subservient to political parties through the passing of such bill.
The BMP also demanded the increase in the reserved seats in parliament for women by one third, holding direct poll and making relocation of the election area.
Ayesha Khanam, the president of the BMP came up with the remarks at a press conference in Dhaka city on Monday.
“On March 8, 2009, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced at a function that reserved seats for women in parliament would be increased to 100 from 45 and they will be elected directly by vote,” she said.
Such decision is contradictory to government's policy and it will hamper women development and progress in the country, Khanam said.