Staff Reporter:
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold Union Parishad (UP) elections across the country in seven phases, with the first phase likely to be held on November 12.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah disclosed the information yesterday while briefing journalists at the Election Commission Bhaban in the capital.
“Elections need to be held swiftly in around 4,272 UPs out of total 4,580 UPs as there is a legal obligation to hold elections within the 180-day period before the expiry of their terms,” he said.
He added that the primary schedule for voting has been prepared considering the annual examinations of students and religious festivals.
According to the announced schedule, voting in the first phase will be held on November 12 this year, the second phase on December 13 and the third phase on December 30.
The preliminary dates for the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh phases have been set for January 17, February 4, April 22 and May 27, respectively, in 2027.
EC Sanaullah said efforts would be made to complete elections in most of the Union Parishads within the first five phases.
Giving details of the first phase, he said voting would be held in Union Parishads of around 80 upazilas in the remaining 63 districts – excluding Thakurgaon — as a by-election is underway in Thakurgaon.
In the first phase, priority will be given to the district Sadar upazilas.
Three upazilas from districts, like Chattogram and Cumilla, having larger number of upazilas and two upazilas from districts having 10 or more upazilas are also being included in the first phase.
As part of the preparations, an inter-ministerial meeting has been scheduled for September 17 and a law-and-order meeting for September 21.
Besides, the Commission will hold dialogues with all registered political parties over three days on September 23, 24 and 25 to deliver a well-organised election like the national parliamentary election.
Two representatives from each party will take part in the dialogues.
Asked about amendments to the electoral laws, the Election Commissioner said that, initially, the elections would be held under the existing laws.
