UP polls in 5 phases, likely from Jan 21

The Election Commission and the government appear to be on the same page, at least regarding the timing of the union parishad elections.

After months of discussions about holding the local government polls in October or November, the EC announced November 12 as the tentative election date on September 14.

However, following the announcement, a cabinet member expressed reservations about the proposed date, saying it had been announced without consulting the government.

The EC then held an inter-ministerial meeting on September 17, at which top government officials said it would be better to conduct the polls from January.

Yesterday, the commission said it was now planning to begin the union parishad polls in the third week of January.

Asked whether the EC had discussed the election dates with the government, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said the commission had met representatives of all government departments on September 17.

“After the meeting and completion of the desk work, we are announcing the election date,” he said.

The commissioner said the polls would be held in five phases on January 21, February 4, April 29, May 13, and May 27.

Sanaullah said all five polling dates fall on Thursdays.

The EC will announce the election schedules around six weeks before the respective polling dates, he said while briefing the media.

The schedules may be announced 42 days before an election, but this could vary from 38 to 45 days, the commissioner said, adding that the number of phases had been reduced from seven to five due to time constraints.

The EC plans to hold the polls simultaneously across all districts, prioritising Sadar upazilas and union parishads whose terms have expired.

Bangladesh has 4,580 union parishads, and EC data shows that 3,975 of them will be eligible for elections by December.

Sanaullah said the EC had initially tried to hold the polls before January 21 but adjusted its plans following a request from the organisers of Biswa Ijtema concerning the date of Akheri Munajat (final prayers).

Responding to a question, he said the commission would hold a separate meeting with law enforcement agencies to discuss their preparedness for the local government elections.

“Their representatives were present at the meeting [on September 17]. At the time, we were informed that they would complete their training activities by November.”

Regarding the deployment of army personnel during the local body polls, Sanaullah said similar concerns had been raised ahead of the national polls, which he described as among the most peaceful elections.

Expressing hope that the UP elections would be free of violence and calling for support from all relevant stakeholders, the commissioner said the EC sought to uphold the culture of good elections.