Elections to around 4,300 Union Parishads (UPs) across Bangladesh will be held in five phases between January 21 and May 27, 2027, according to a 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 around 4,300 UPs had expired and elections to these local government bodies must be completed by May 27, 2027, in accordance with the law.

The respective district election officers will announce detailed schedules, generally 42 to 45 days before polling.

According to EC sources, elections will initially be held in UPs near district headquarters, followed by those close to upazila headquarters. 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 would be consulted during preparations and their cooperation 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 commission's objective was not simply 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 prescribe penalties for irregularities, voter intimidation, the use of force and obstruction of voters during UP elections.

The commission's ability to enforce electoral laws, maintain law and order and take prompt action against violations will be crucial to the conduct of the five-phase polls. Fresh polling may also be held at centres where irregularities are established.