Dhaka: The Election Commission has announced that the Union Parishad (UP) elections will be conducted in seven phases nationwide, with the initial phase commencing on November 12. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah shared these details with journalists at the Election Building located in Agargaon, the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Election Commissioner emphasized the urgency of conducting elections in approximately 4,272 Union Parishads out of a total of 4,580, due to a legal requirement to hold elections within 180 days before the expiration of their terms. The election schedule has been meticulously planned, taking into account students' annual examinations and religious festivals. The second phase of voting is set for December 13, followed by the third phase on December 30.
Preliminary dates for the subsequent phases have been proposed for January 17, February 4, April 22, and May 27 in 2027. Commissioner Sanaullah noted that the aim is to complete elections in the majority of Union Parishads within the first five phases. In the first phase, elections will occur in Union Parishads across approximately 80 upazilas in the remaining 63 districts, excluding Thakurgaon due to an ongoing by-election there.
Priority in the initial phase will be given to district Sadar upazilas, including three upazilas from districts such as Chattogram and Cumilla, which have a larger number of upazilas, and two upazilas from districts with 10 or more upazilas. Preparations include an inter-ministerial meeting on September 17 and a law-and-order meeting on September 21.
Furthermore, the Commission plans to engage in dialogues with all registered political parties over three days on September 23, 24, and 25 to ensure a well-organized election, similar to the national parliamentary elections. Two representatives from each party will participate in these dialogues. Addressing potential amendments to the electoral laws, the Election Commissioner indicated that the upcoming elections would initially proceed under the current legal framework.