EC gears up for 4,300 UP polls

The Election Commission (EC) faces a major test as it prepares to hold elections to nearly 4,300 union parishads (UPs) in five phases by 27 May next year. Ensuring free, fair, neutral and peaceful elections will be its main challenge. Preventing violence, controlling muscle power, stopping the use of illegal arms, ensuring the neutrality of the administration and restoring voters’ confidence will be among its key tasks.

The EC announced its election roadmap on 12 October. According to the plan, the first phase of voting will take place on 21 January, followed by the second phase on 4 February, the third on 29 April, the fourth on 13 May and the final phase on 27 May. The commission plans to hold the first phase of elections in around 800 union parishads.

The upcoming union parishad (UP) elections will not be held under party symbols. The Election Commission (EC) has finalised 42 election symbols for the polls. Of these, 20 symbols have been allocated for chairman candidates, 12 for general member candidates and 10 for candidates contesting reserved seats for women.

EC officials say union parishad elections are among the most violent local government polls in the country. The last UP elections, held in seven phases in 2021-22, saw widespread violence across the country. A total of 101 people were killed in election-related clashes and violence.

A study by civil society organisation Shujan also found widespread violence during the 2016 UP elections. According to its findings, 145 people were killed in clashes and disputes before, during and after the polls, following the announcement of the election schedule.

Ensuring voters' safety on polling day will be the major task for EC. The commission will have to identify high-risk polling centres, arrange enough security, protect polling officials and take immediate action against irregularities. Voters must be able to go to polling centres without fear and cast their votes freely.

Asked about the main challenges facing the commission, Jasmine Tuli, a former additional secretary of the Election Commission and a member of the Election System Reform Commission formed during the interim government, said maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful election environment would be the biggest challenges.

She said the EC must take strong steps to keep the election peaceful. Candidates often do not follow the election code of conduct and other rules, she added.

She also pointed to the use of illegal money, excessive election spending and attempts to influence voters through cash payments or mobile financial services. Monitoring such activities is difficult for the EC, she said. Problems may arise if local administration officials and EC officers do not perform their duties in a neutral manner.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, however, said local government elections would not be an extra challenge for the commission.

Election expert Md Abdul Alim described local government elections as a major challenge for the EC. Referring to past election-related violence, he urged the commission to take a firm approach to maintaining law and order.

The EC has said it wants to hold peaceful elections without violence. It also plans to seek support from political parties and other stakeholders to achieve this goal.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin earlier described holding violence-free local government elections as a major challenge for the commission. He also called for cooperation from political parties and all concerned.