The Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced that elections and by-elections in a number of union parishads would be held on April 16. The last date for submission of nomination papers is March 20, while returning officers would scrutinise them on March 21 and the last date to withdraw nominations is March 28. Candidates whose nominations are cancelled can appeal against the decision on March 24. Returning officers would complete distribution of election symbols on March 29 after withdrawal of nominations. The commission would hold fresh elections to 55 union parishads in 26 upazilas of 21 districts across the country.
Elections will be held in Bijora and Palashbari of Birol upazila; Boro Alampur of Pirganj upazila; Borotara and Tulshiganga of Khetlal upazila; Kansat of Shibganj; Koromja of Santhia upazila; Pochakoralia, Chotobogi, Koroibaria and Nishanbara of Taltoli upazila of Barguna; Lotachapli of Kalapara upazila; Charborhan of Dashmina upazila; Parerhat of Indurkani upazila; Deulbaridobra and Kolardoania of Nazirpur upazila; Ponabalia of Jhalokathi Sadar; Monpura of Monpura upazila; Hajipur and Saidpur of Doulatkhat upazila; Fatehpur, Ajgona, Bohuria, Tarafpur, Latifpur and Bhowra of Mirzapur upazila; Gojaria and Dariapur of Sakhipur upazila; Patharshi, Kulkandi, Belgacha, Chinaduli, Shapdhori and Noarpara of Islampur upazila; Lechhraganj of Harirampur upazila; Mouchak of Kaliakoir upazila; Enayetnagar and Purbo Enayetnagar of Kalkini upazila; Hossainpur, Badarpur, Khalia and Amgram of Rojoir upazila; Dumain, Meghchami, Arpara and Kamaldia of Madhukhali upazila; Borogopalpur, Borokrishnonagar of Jajira upazila; Jamalganj Sadar and Jamalganj Uttar of Jamalganj upazila; Ayubpur and Dariadoulat of Banchharampur; Dirghapar of Sandwip and Kuhalong of Bandarban Sadar upazila.
By-elections will be held in 102 unions of 90 upazilas in 49 districts, where polling for the posts of chairman and ward member would be held. In addition, the EC would hold polls in 17 unions of 13 upazilas in 12 districts, where polling was postponed earlier because of legal barriers. This is the first time the new EC has announced the poll schedule at the union parishad level. A few days back, the commission held violence-free elections to 14 upazila parishads and four municipalities.