Dhaka, Jan. 26 -- With women making up only 3.6 percent of candidates, political parties are once again sidelining female presence ahead of the February-12 national election.

Out of 1,732 party-nominated candidates, only 63 are women, while an additional 19 women are contesting the election as independent contenders. In total, 82 women candidates are in the race among 1,983 contestants across the country's 300 constituencies.

Of the 51 political parties participating in the election, only 20 parties, including BNP and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), have women candidates in the 13th parliamentary election.

The highest number of women candidates-10 each-have been fielded by the BNP and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist).

The ...