Elections will be held for 152 upazila councils across Bangladesh in the first phase on May 8.
Election Commission Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath announced this after a commission meeting on Thursday.
According to the announced schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is April 15, selection on April 17 and the last date for withdrawal is April 22.
Symbols will be allocated on April 23, and voting will take place on May 8.
On Tuesday, the Election Commission issued the Upazila Election Conduct Rules 2024 with some amendments in certain areas. According to the new rules, the election campaign will start on the day of symbol allocation. All candidates must submit their nomination papers online.
As per the Election Commission's plan, the second phase of voting will be on May 23, the third phase on May 29 and the fourth phase on June 5.
These elections will elect the chairman, general vice chairman and reserved vice chairman.
Of the 152 upazilas, people in 22 upazilas of nine districts will vote using EVMs. The districts are Cox's Bazar, Shariatpur, Chandpur, Jamalpur, Pabna, Sirajganj, Jessore, Pirojpur and Manikganj.
The commission will hold elections in 481 upazila councils nationwide in four phases in May.
The ruling Awami League has already said they will not give anyone their party symbol in any local government elections this time.
On the other hand, it is less likely that the BNP, which boycotted the parliamentary election, will participate in this local government election as a party. As a result, this upazila council election will mainly be among independent candidates.
According to the amended election conduct rules, independent candidates no longer need to provide a list of supporters. Also, candidates can use coloured posters this year and will have more time for campaigning.
However, the new rules have increased the deposit amount for candidates. A deposit of Tk1,00,000 is required to contest for the chairman position and Tk75,000 for the vice chairman position.
Previously, the deposit for both positions was Tk10,000.