The Election Commission has planned to hold the countrywide Union Parishad (UP) elections in seven phases, with the first phase scheduled for November 12, covering all UPs in 80 upazilas of 63 districts.

The tentative schedules were decided at a preparatory meeting of the commission on Monday, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanauallah told reporters after the meeting.

“We will be able to conduct the first-phase election on November 12….. We expect that we will be able to hold elections to all Union Parishads in roughly 80 upazilas,” he said.

According to the tentative schedules, the second phase will be held on December 13, the third phase on December 30, the fourth phase on January 17 next year, the fifth phase on February 4, the sixth phase on April 12 and the seventh phase on May 27, he said.

Sanaullah said there are a total of 4,580 Union Parishads across the country.

He also said the commission will hold talks with all registered political parties over the local government elections.” The discussions will be held on September 23, 24 and 25.”

Two representatives from each political party will be invited for the dialogues ahead of the local government elections.

The EC said they will try to start the UP elections in all 64 districts, except Thakurgaon, simultaneously, as the EC has already announced a schedule for Thakurgaon-1 by-election, which will be held on October 29.