The Election Commission (EC) will send a letter to the local government and rural development ministry seeking suggestions for holding by-elections for the chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-chairman posts in 30 upazila parishads, as well as elections in five newly formed upazila parishads.
“We have decided at a commission meeting today to ask the LGRD ministry for suggestions on holding elections at the five newly formed upazila parishads and by-elections for the post of chairman, vice-chairman and women vice-chairman posts in 30 upazila parishads polls,” election commissioner Md Shah Newaz told reporters yesterday at the EC secretariat.
The commissioner said the EC had already made preparations for by-elections for the post of chairman at 19 upazila parishads, vice-chairman at 10 upazila parishads, and female vice-chairman at one parishad.
EC officials said the commission plans to announce the upazila election schedule after Eid-ul-Fitr because of a heavy workload due to preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
According to draft proposals, the EC has fixed September 25 to hold elections for the 35 upazila parishads.
The final date for filing nomination papers is August 27. The nominations will be scrutinised during September 1-2. The last date for withdrawing nomination papers is September 9.
The EC also plans to hold the rest of the upazila parishad elections at the same time.
The newly formed upazila parishads are: Bijoynagar upazila of Brahmanbaria; Rangabali of Patuakhali; Taltali of Barguna; Kalukhali of Rajbari; and Tarakanda of Mymensingh.
By-elections will be held for the chairman posts of: Kotchadpur upazila of Jhenidah; Sadar of Laxmipur; Bheramera of Kustia; Patia of Rajshahi; Fulpur of Mymensingh; Boraigram of Natore; Biyanibazar of Sylhet; Oshtogram of Brahmanbaria; Roumari of Kurigram; Naogaon Sadar upazila; Amtali of Barguna; Srinagar of Munshiganj; Pirganj of Rangpur; Tarail of Kishoreganj; Koyra of Khulna; Trishal of Mymensingh; Nabiganj of Hobiganj; Companiganj of Sylhet; and Ullahpara of Sirajganj.
The upazila parishads going to the polls for the vice-chairman posts are: Sadar upazilla of Moulvibazar; Bancharampur of Brahmanbaria; Sonagaji of Feni; Borhanuddin of Bhola; Kotiyadi of Kishoreganj; Sadar of Cox’s Bazaar; Balaganj of Sylhet; Alphadanga of Faridpur; Rajibpur of Kurigram; and Lalmohan of Bhola.
The by-election for the female vice-chairman post will be held at Sapahar upazila of Naogaon.
The last upazila parishad elections were held on January 22, 2009.
Since the elections, some upazila parishad chairmen have resigned their posts while others have passed away with the posts remaining vacant.
