No women in Jamaat's Central Executive Council violates RPO: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has described the absence of women in Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Central Executive Council as a clear violation of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972.

In a statement issued today, TIB said the formation of separate committees for women cannot ensure their meaningful participation or meet the legal requirement for women's representation in political party committees at all levels.

Citing Section 90B(1)(b)(a) of the RPO, TIB said political parties must aim to reserve at least 33 percent of committee positions for women and gradually achieve the target by 2030.

However, the 19-member Central Executive Council of Jamaat-e-Islami for the 2023-25 term, published on the party's website, has no women members.

Jamaat had cited 21 women members in its Central Working Committee, 122 in its Central Majlis-e-Shura and around 43 percent women among its Rukons.

TIB clarified that its research focused specifically on central or national executive councils, not other organisational bodies.

The organisation also pointed out that Jamaat nominated no female candidate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and has no women in its top leadership positions.

TIB said its research followed internationally recognised social science methods and urged Jamaat and other political parties to undertake institutional reforms in line with the report's recommendations.