Dhaka, April 9 -- On the first day after the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule, 52 aspiring candidates have obtained nomination papers for the 50 reserved women's seats in parliament.

All those who collected forms identified themselves as aspirants from the ruling BNP, according to Assistant Returning Officer Mohammad Monir Hossain.

The election is slated for May 12.

The submission deadline is Apr 21. The scrutiny will take place from Apr 22 to Apr 23. The withdrawal deadline is Apr 29.

Following the Feb 12 general election, seat allocation for the reserved seats is based on proportional representation in parliament.

The BNP and its allies are entitled to 36 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance will receive 13 ...