Bangladesh plans to begin local elections with union parishad polls in November

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) is preparing to begin local government elections in November, a month later than initially expected, EC member Abdur Rahmanel Masud said Tuesday.

Masud told The Daily Star that voting would begin with union parishads, the lowest tier of local government, while municipalities could also be included.

“We are moving ahead with November in mind,” Masud said, adding that November through March would be suitable for holding the elections.

He said the delay was partly linked to the Thakurgaon-1 by-election scheduled for the end of October.

“It will begin with union parishads; municipalities may also be included. But no decision has been made,” he said.

Bangladesh has 4,581 union parishads, 330 municipalities, 500 upazila parishads, 13 city corporations, and 61 zila parishads.