EC preps for local polls in Nov

The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to begin local government elections across Bangladesh in November, starting with Union Parishad polls. The elections are planned in six or seven phases, with the first phase likely to be held in late November. 

The commission is expected to announce the election schedule in mid-September. The move follows a request from the Local Government Division on August 2.

There are 4,581 Union Parishads in Bangladesh. Of these, 3,981 will become eligible for elections this year. Their previous elections were held in 2021 and 2022. The remaining Union Parishads are expected to become eligible in 2027 and 2028. 

Under the law, elections must be held within 180 days of the end of a Union Parishad’s term. Union Parishads with pending court cases or boundary disputes may be left out.

*    Election of 3,981 UPs this year 
*    Codes of conduct finalised 
*    128,777,643 registered voters 
*    No plan to deploy army

The EC is finalising changes to the local government election law and separate codes of conduct for the five types of local government elections. The drafts have been sent to the Law Ministry for vetting.

The proposed changes include stricter rules on candidate eligibility. Loan defaulters, guarantors of defaulted loans, MPO-listed teachers and dual citizens would be barred from contesting. Resigning from a company post would not remove liability for unpaid loans.

The draft rules also define extortion, theft, embezzlement, rape, murder and corruption as crimes involving moral misconduct. Violations of the election code could carry up to six months in jail and a fine of up to Tk 50,000. Rules on election observers and election dispute settlement are also being reviewed.

The voter list has been prepared with 128,777,643 registered voters. September 7 is the deadline for applications to change voter areas, while September 10 is the deadline for completing the process.

The EC has also prepared a list of possible polling centres. It expects 2,000 to 3,000 more centres than the 42,761 used in the February 12 national election and referendum. The commission is considering one centre for around every 2,000 voters.

Schools will be used as polling centres and teachers will work as election officials. The EC has asked the relevant ministries to complete annual and other examinations before November or as soon as possible.

The EC has already stored election materials bought before the national election. These include 115,000 small hessian and gunny bags, 75,000 large hessian bags, 1.75 million marking seals and 840,000 official seals. The local polls will use paper ballots. Postal ballots will not be used.

Security is one of the main concerns for the EC. Local elections often involve rivalry among candidates and groups, which can lead to clashes and violence.

The EC is asking law enforcement agencies to prepare early. CEC A M M Nasir Uddin held meetings with the Inspector General of Police on August 18, the Director General of Ansar and VDP on August 19, and the Director General of BGB on August 24.

The CEC has also sought a report on the country's law and order situation. The final security plan will be prepared after receiving the report. There is currently no plan to deploy the armed forces.

Building trust among political parties is another challenge. The EC plans to hold discussions with political parties at the end of September or early October to hear their concerns and seek their cooperation.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said dialogue with political parties is ongoing and the commission held a meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami on September 1. However, whether the EC will hold further talks with other parties on various local government issues will be decided by the commission, he said. 

Many local government bodies have remained without elected representatives for a long period. After the July 2024 mass uprising, elected representatives of city corporations, municipalities, upazila councils and district councils were removed and administrators were appointed. Many Union Parishads have also been left without elected representatives.

The EC now faces the task of restoring elected local government while managing security, legal and political challenges.
Meanwhile, Stephen Rodrigues, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative, said the EC would decide what support it needs and where it is required. 

After meeting the CEC and other EC officials on August 31, he said they discussed preparations for the local elections and possible support from UNDP and other UN agencies. He also stressed that joint efforts by the EC, government, civil society and citizens would be important to ensure peaceful, free and fair local elections.