The first phase of Upazila Parishad elections will be held on Mar 10. Bangladesh Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin announced the election schedule at a press conference at the EC secretariat on Sunday (Feb 3), local media reported.
The last date for the submission of nomination papers is Feb 11 while that of withdrawal on Feb 19. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on Feb 12.
On Jan 10, the EC Secretary said the polls would be held in phases starting from the first week of March.
The first Upazila Parishad elections were held in 1985, while the following three were held in 1990, 2009 and 2014. The last one was organised in six phases.
Election to 87 upazila parishads of 12 districts under Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi divisions will be held in the first phase. The decision was taken at the 45th meeting of the commission held at the Election Commission with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.
The EC secretary said the Upazila Parishad polls will be held in five phases. The second phase of the Upazila Parishad elections is scheduled to be held on Mar 18, while the third phase on Mar 24, the fourth phase on Mar 31 and the fifth phase on Jun 18.
The first phase of the local body elections will be held in all upazilas of Panchagarh, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur districts under Rangpur division, all upazilas in Jamalpur and all upazilas of Netrakona district except Atpara upazila under Mymensingh division, all upazilas of Sunamganj district except Jagannathpur upazila and all upazila of Habiganj district except Shayastaganj upazila in Sylhet division, all upazila of Sirajganj district and all upazilas of Joypurhat and Rajshahi districts and all upazilas of Natore district under Rajshahi division.
Besides, the Election Commission fixed Mar 4 for the elections to the Jatiyo Sangsad reserved seats. The last date for the submission of nomination papers is Feb 11 while that of withdrawal on Feb 16. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on Feb 12.
