UP elections to be held in seven phases from 12 November

The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold elections to the country’s 4,580 union parishads (UPs) in seven phases, with the first phase scheduled for 12 November.
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah announced the decision while briefing journalists on Monday after a commission meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC secretariat.
According to the preliminary schedule, the second phase will be held on 13 December and the third on 30 December. The fourth phase is set for 17 January next year, followed by the fifth on 4 February, the sixth on 22 April and the seventh and final phase on 27 May. 
Sanaullah said the decisions had been taken on a preliminary basis.
The first phase will cover union parishads in around 80 upazilas across 63 districts, excluding Thakurgaon, where a by-election is under way. Priority will be given to upazilas at district headquarters. Three upazilas each from Chattogram and Cumilla, which have a larger number of upazilas, and two upazilas from districts with 10 or more upazilas will also be included in the first phase.

Sanaullah said efforts would be made to complete elections in most unions within the first five phases.
He said the commission would hold detailed discussions with all registered political parties to ensure free, fair and inclusive local government elections. The dialogue will be held in the third phase of the overall preparations. As part of the preparations, an inter-ministerial meeting will be held on 17 September, followed by a law and order meeting on 21 September.
The commission will also hold a three-day dialogue with registered political parties on 23, 24 and 25 September, with two representatives from each party taking part.
Asked about amendments to electoral laws, Sanaullah said the elections would initially be held under the existing laws.
Earlier, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the commission would proceed under the existing legal framework if no amendments were made within the stipulated time, ensuring there would be no legal or operational complications in holding the elections on schedule.

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