Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- Seven women have been elected to parliament through direct votes in the 2026 election, marking a modest presence in a race where female participation remained strikingly low.

According to the Election Commission (EC), 81 of the 1,981 candidates who contested were women -- just 4.08 percent of the total, bdnews24.com reports.

Of them, seven secured victory, meaning 8.64 percent of female candidates were elected through direct public mandate.

The EC announced results for 297 constituencies by Friday afternoon following Thursday's polling.

ALLIANCE NOMINEES AND AN INDEPENDENT WIN

Among the seven women elected, six were nominees of the BNP alliance and one contested as an independent.

Independent winner Rumeen, though ...