The Election Commission (EC) has taken the initial decision to hold the Union Parishad (UP) elections in seven phases.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said that the first phase of voting has been planned for November 12.

Tiri made these remarks at a briefing after the commission's preparatory meeting on the UP elections at the Election Building in Agargaon in the capital today.

The Election Commissioner said that out of the total 4,580 Union Parishads in the country, about 4,272 have to hold elections quickly due to the legal obligation of 180 days before the expiry of the term. This initial schedule of voting has been prepared in seven phases considering various annual exams and religious festivals.

According to the initially announced schedule, the first phase of voting will be held on November 12 of this year, the second phase on December 13, and the third phase on December 30. After that, the initial dates for voting have been set for January 17, 2027 for the fourth phase, February 4 for the fifth phase, April 22 for the sixth phase, and May 27 for the seventh phase.

Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said that efforts will be made to complete the elections of most of the unions in the first five phases. The sixth and seventh phases are basically being reserved for the remaining unions, including 56 that have fallen behind due to complications related to cases or other reasons.
Regarding the first phase of the UP elections, he said that voting will be held in the unions of approximately 80 upazilas of the remaining 63 districts, except Thakurgaon, in the first phase. Since there is a by-election in Thakurgaon, the activities there have been transferred to the second phase. Generally, the district's headquarters upazilas will be given priority in the first phase.

However, in districts with more upazilas like Chittagong and Comilla, 3 upazilas each and in districts with 10 or more upazilas, 2 upazilas each are being kept in the first phase.

As part of the preparations, an inter-ministerial meeting will be held on September 17 and a law and order meeting on September 21. The UP election plan will be finalized in the preparatory meeting on September 17.

In addition, to provide a well-organized election like the National Assembly elections, the commission will hold a dialogue with all registered political parties on September 23, 24, and 25. Two representatives from each party will participate in it.

When asked about the amendment to the election law, the Election Commissioner said that initially, the elections will be held under the existing law.