Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has proposed abolishing the reserved parliamentary seats for women, suggesting instead that political parties be required to allocate one-third of their nominations to female candidates.

Speaking on Thursday at the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Caucus for Disadvantaged People in Dhaka, he said political parties must be required to allocate one-third of their election nominations to women.

Bangladesh now has many capable female leaders with the ability to contest and win direct elections, he added.

Drawing on his 40-year political career, Hafiz Uddin said the plight of disadvantaged communities persists due to the selfishness of politicians and their disconnect from the public.

He sai...