On Monday (September 14) afternoon, Election Commissioner retired Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah informed journalists at the Election Commission building.

The EC said voting will be held in phases in 4,580 Union Parishads across the country. According to the announced schedule—voting will be held in the first phase on November 12, the second phase on December 13, the third phase on December 30, the fourth phase on January 17, the fifth phase on February 4, the sixth phase on April 22, and the seventh and final phase on May 27.

The Election Commissioner said it has been initially decided to start the local government election process with the Union Parishad elections in 80 upazilas in the first phase.

Meanwhile, the EC will hold discussions successively with registered political parties to make the local government elections fair and participatory. According to the commission's decision, a dialogue with political parties will be held in the third phase of the process.

Earlier, Senior Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud had said that, according to the government's plan, the commission was preparing to start the local government election process from mid-November. In the first stage, the Union Parishad election will be held.

Regarding the legal framework, he said that if there is no new change or amendment to the law within the stipulated time, the commission will conduct the election under the existing law. He also said that there will be no legal or operational complications in holding the vote on time.