Election Commission Plans Union Parishad Polls Schedule for September with Voting to Begin in November

The Election Commission of Bangladesh intends to initiate local government elections by the end of the year, starting with Union Parishad polls. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced on Thursday that the commission plans to issue the election schedule in September, with the aim of commencing voting by late November.

The announcement followed a courtesy meeting between a four-member Election Commission delegation and President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission office later that day, the Chief Election Commissioner stated that the commission is preparing to conduct elections for eligible local government bodies, including approximately 4,500 Union Parishads.

Addressing the timeline, the Chief Election Commissioner explained that the commission typically provides a two-month lead time between the announcement of the schedule and the polling date. Given the legal requirement to hold elections for councils whose tenures are expiring, the commission is prioritizing a start date before the end of the calendar year. This schedule must also account for the mandatory by-election for the Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary seat, which must be held within 90 days.

The commission faces a constrained window for electoral activities due to seasonal factors, religious observances, and academic calendars. AMM Nasir Uddin noted that the election timeline must navigate challenges such as the upcoming Durga Puja, the onset of the monsoon season, and the month of Ramadan, which begins in late February next year. To avoid potential disruptions to the academic year, the Election Commission intends to consult with the Ministry of Education regarding the scheduling of student examinations.

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Regarding the Union Parishad polls, the Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that elections should ideally be held during the dry, winter season to ensure logistical efficiency and avoid periods of inclement weather. He noted that the commission is considering lessons from previous multi-phase elections and aims to prioritize regions that are best suited for dry-season voting, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

In addition to election preparations, the Chief Election Commissioner affirmed that the President has pledged full support for the commission to function independently. Efforts are also underway to streamline National Identity card services and enhance security measures to curb identity fraud. The commission intends to finalize its roadmap in the coming weeks, balancing legal obligations with the operational challenges of conducting nation-wide local government elections.