<i>3 woman 'fighters' in Barisal divn</i>

Elen Bhutto and Selima Rahman

Three female candidates are in the poll race in 21 constituencies in Barisal division.
Former BNP minister Selima Rahman is fighting for a Jatiya Sangsad seat for the first time from Barisal-3.
Her close rival grand alliance candidate Jatiya Party presidium member Golam Kibria Tipu has vast experience in electioneering.
Selima, also facing BNP rebel candidate Advocate Joynul Abedin, is already in a neck to neck position with her Awami League, her aides claimed.
BNP leader Nusrat Sultana Elen Bhutto, whom defeated Awami League Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu in Jhalakati-2 in the last election, is fighting him this time also.
The two female candidates are doing better than their experienced male rivals, political observers said.
On the other hand Saima Jalil, wife of renowned freedom fighter late Maj. M A Jalil, is fighting heavy weight candidates like Shahidul Huq Jamal, Sarfuddin Santu and Monirul Islam Moni with a Bikalpo Dhara Bangladesh (BKD) ticket in Barisal-2.
All of the female candidates mostly depend on their family influences in the constituencies, the observers said.