| The government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has deferred by 45 days elections to the 45 reserved seats for women in the Bangladesh Parliament. The Cabinet at a meeting in Dhaka on Monday night approved a draft bill on promulgation of an ordinance to amend the Jatiya Sangsad (Reserved Seats for Women) Election Act, which came into effect on Dec. 8. A Cabinet minister attending the meeting said the poll date has been deferred for several reasons. A writ petition filed by 13 women leaders against the act is said to be the major reason for the delay. Moreover, the government is busy with the upcoming SAARC summit, he added. According to the bill, election to the reserved seats in the present Parliament will be held within 90 days. |