The four-party ruling alliance in a landmark decision yesterday unveiled a plan to raise the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) seats to 450, including 50 reserved for women, to keep pace with the rising population.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia presented the plan at a meeting of top alliance leaders at her office, saying a bill proposing to raise the number of lawmakers from 300 would be passed in the upcoming session scheduled to begin on January 18.Revealing the JS expansion plan, Khaleda said 400 lawmakers will be elected in direct votes while the 50 reserved seats would be distributed proportionately among parties having representation in parliament.
A bill providing for the reserved seats would be passed in the current parliament and elections to the enhanced general seats will be held in the next parliamentary polls scheduled for 2006.