The first phase of elections to 102 upazila parishads out of the total 487 will be held on February 19, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday.
The CEC announced the poll schedules at a press conference at the commission media centre in the capital.
The upazila parishad poll will be held in three phases – the second phase on March 18-25 while the third one in May.
According to the schedule, the last date of filing nomination paper is January 25. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on January 27 while the last date of withdrawing nomination is February 3.
“In the first phase the commission will hold polls to over 100 upazila parishads whose tenures are supposed to expire in February. As per the laws, the commission must have to arrange the poll within 180 days before the expiry of the tenure,” the CEC said.
Traditionally the commission appoints additional deputy commissioner as returning officer for Upazila parishad poll and upazila nirbahi officer as assistant returning officer.
When asked about the deployment of law enforcers and the army, Kazi Rakib said the commission would hold a meeting with law enforcing agencies soon to decide on it.
He emphatically said the commission would take the highest measures to ensure a peaceful environment for the voters to cast votes in the polls.
About the attacks on minorities in different districts during the parliamentary polls, Rakibudd said: “Those who were involved in the attacks are miscreants, thugs and goons. Stern action will be taken against them.”
About holding the much-awaited polls to the split Dhaka City Corporations he referred to the problems of delimitation of both city corporation. “The elections will be held after the problems are solved.”
The 102 upazilas where election will be held on February 19 are —
Khagrachhari Sadar, Ramgarh, Matiranga, Panchhari, Manikchhari and Mohalchhari in Khagrachhari, Jenaidah Sadar, Kotchandpur, Shailakupa and Kaliganj in Jenaidah, Magura Sadar and Shreepur in Magura, Lalmohan in Bhola, Daulatpur, Singhair, Shaturia and Shibalay in Manikganj, Kapashia in Gazipur, Rajbari Sadar, Baliakandi and Pangsha in Rajbari, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda, Atwari and Debiganj in Panchagarh, Rangpur Sadar, Gangachhara, Taraganj, Mithapukur, Pirgachha, Pirganj, Kaunia in Rangpur, Bhurungamari, Fulbari and Ulipur in Kurigram, Saghata and Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Sherpur, Sariakandhi, Dhunat, Nandigram, Dupchachia and Sonatola in Bogra, Nachol in Chapainawabganj, Singra in Natore, Rayganj, Ullapara, Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar in Sirajganj, Meharpur Sadar, Kustia Sadar and Bheramera in Kustia, Kalia in Narail, Jamalpur Sadar and Sharishabari in Jamalpur, Moksudpur and Kashiani in Gopalganj, Kalkini in Madaripur, Bhederganj, Damuda, Jajira, Goshairhat in Shariatpur, Doyarbazar, Chhatak, Dakkin Sunamganj in Sunamganj, Kulaura in Moulvibazar, Madhabpur and Bahubal in Hobiganj, Khaharol and Khanshama in Dinajpur, Dimla, Syedpur and Joldhaka in Nilphamari, Fulbari in Kurigram, Mahadevpur and Raninagar in Naogaon, Sathia, Atgharia and Sujanagar in Pabna, Obhoynagar in Jessore, Durgapur and Kendua in Netrokona, Bajitpur, Karimganj and Nikole in Kishoreganj, Dohar and Nawabganj in Dhaka, Palash and Belabo in Narsingdi, Biswanath, Jokiganj, Companyganj, Golapganj, Gowinehat and Jointapur in Sylhet, Hathajari and Mirshrai in Chittagong, Ashashuni in Satkhira, Mohanpur in Rajshahi, Digholia and Koyra in Khulna, Gouronadi and Bakerganj in Barisal.
