After introducing several new faces in the Cabinet, the ruling Awami League is mulling to bring in first-timers for the reserved seats for women in parliament.

Most of the party’s MPs in women’s reserved seats of the 10th parliament are likely to be dropped in the new parliament, according to insiders.

Other than the district quota, Aug 21 grenade attack victims, activists who have contributed significantly to the party and families who suffered losses while working for the party will get priority for the reserved seats, they say.

“Districts which didn’t have MPs before will get priority,” Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque told Bangla Tribune.

“Once the election commission announces schedule, we will announce our list of candidates,” he added.

Sources say that former female leaders of the party’s youth and student fronts as well as from cultural personalities may be picked. Former MPs, who didn’t get the party’s ticket for the 11th National Election, is another criteria, according to them.

The election process for the reserved parliamentary sears is set to be finalised during the first session of the 11th parliament. The polls schedule for electing the women MPs is likely to be announced within seven working days after Jan 30, when the first session of the new parliament is set to begin.

Twenty two female candidates, including Awami League chief Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been elected through the Dec 30 polls.