EC unveils five-phase union parishad poll roadmap

The Election Commission (EC) has announced a roadmap for the long-awaited union parishad elections, with voting scheduled to take place in five phases between January and May next year.

The roadmap was finalised at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Monday, October 12, and attended by the four other election commissioners and senior EC officials. According to the schedule, the first phase of voting will be held on January 21 and the second on February 4, both ahead of Ramadan. Subsequently, the third phase is planned for April 29, followed by the fourth on May 13 and the fifth on May 27, all after Ramadan. The plan marks a departure from an earlier proposal for seven phases between November 12 and May 27, which was put on hold after the government objected to the proposed dates.

Read More: BNP leaders must stand by people, shun fascist practices: Rizvi

The meeting also deliberated on the schedule for other local government elections, the delegation of administrative and financial powers to officials of the National Identity Registration Wing, and the condition and maintenance of machines at the personalisation centre. Furthermore, the agenda encompassed card printing, the settlement of outstanding bills, new contracts, and a review of committee proceedings, while the draft National Election Medal Policy 2025 was also discussed for approval. Consequently, attention now turns to the detailed election schedule, which the EC has indicated will cover nomination submission, scrutiny and withdrawal.