Taking part in a discussion in the city, they said if a woman is not elected through direct election, she will have to act according to the wish of the party neglecting the hopes and aspirations of the common women.

The discussion on 'Direct election to reserved women seat in parliament' was organised by Narigrantha Prabartana.

"As I am elected through a direct election, I find no justification in seeking a nomination from a particular political party to become a member of parliamentarian," said Sheuli Begum, a UP member of Kushtia district.

"I wonder being a woman our prime minister or the leader of the opposition in parliament is doing nothing for direct election to reserved seats for women," she added.

Sheuli said it is better to abolish the system of reserved seats for women in parliament if they fail to arrange direct election to those seats.

Shuktara Yasmin, a UP member of Chapainababganj district, said the provision for indirect election would not serve any interest of the women community.

"The political parties will nominate their like-minded women in the reserved seats depriving the candidates who are able to uphold the cause of women," she added.

Shuktara said under the nomination system, the voters would have no choice to elect their own representatives.

Roushan Akter Lucky, a UP member of Noakhali district, said there is little chance of selecting a suitable candidate under the nomination system.

"Besides, a selected women parliamentarian has no accountability," she added.

Dr. Naila Khan, coordinator of the Sammilita Nari Samj, said the major political parties had shown no interest in direct election to reserved women seats.

"The parliament has virtually turned into a club of businessmen who do not want true representation of women in parliament," she said.

Farida Akter, also of Sammilita Nari Samaj, alleged that no political parties launched any major movements for direct election to reserved women seats.

"It is better to delete the provision of reserved seats for women in parliament if direct election could not be arranged in those seats," she said.

Presided over by Prof Latifa Akhand, the discussion was also addressed by Afroza Parvin of Nari Unnayan Shakti, Quazi Shahana Sharmin of Nari Uddog Kendra, Jesmin Ara, UP member of Kurigram, Hasna Begum, UP member of Tangail, and Rahima Akter, UP member of Pabna districts.