EC announces five-phase UP elections from January to May 2027
Elections to around 4,300 Union Parishads (UPs) across the country will be held in five phases from January 21 to May 27, 2027.
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC), voting in the first phase will take place on January 21, followed by the second phase on February 4, the third on April 29, the fourth on May 13 and the fifth on May 27.
The first phase is expected to cover around 800 UPs.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) announced the schedule following a commission meeting on Monday.
He said the terms of approximately 4,300 UPs had expired and elections to these local government bodies must be completed by May 27, 2027, under the law.
The relevant district election officers will announce the detailed schedules, generally 42 to 45 days before polling.
The EC plans to hold elections first in UPs near district headquarters, followed by those close to upazila headquarters, according to EC sources.
The approach is intended to facilitate the coordinated deployment of law enforcement personnel at the district and upazila levels. Additional forces may be brought in from neighbouring districts if necessary.
The commission has pledged strict action against electoral interference, violence, intimidation and the use of muscle power. Judicial and executive magistrates will be deployed to enforce electoral laws, with provisions for immediate legal action and cancellation of candidacies in cases of serious violations.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud told BSS that the commission would take all necessary measures to ensure free, fair and acceptable elections in accordance with the law.
"We will certainly strive to hold good elections in line with the standards of the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12," he said.
Mashud said political parties will be consulted during preparations and their cooperation will be sought to maintain a peaceful electoral environment.
He warned that the commission would not grant special concessions to anyone involved in disrupting the electoral process, regardless of political affiliation. Candidates found involved in violence or other prohibited activities could face legal action and cancellation of their candidacies.
However, he said the EC's objective was not merely to punish offenders or halt elections, but to create an environment in which people complied with the law and refrained from electoral offences.
The amended electoral rules provide for penalties for irregularities, voter intimidation, the use of force and obstruction of voters during UP elections.
The success of the five-phase polls will depend on effective enforcement of electoral laws, maintaining law and order and taking prompt action against violations. Fresh polling may also be held at centres where irregularities are established.
