The local elections are starting in three cities.

The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to kick off the long-awaited local government election cycle with polls in three major city corporations: Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Chattogram. The Ministry of Local Government has formally written to the EC, requesting that the elections in these cities be prioritised as the first phase of the nationwide electoral process.

According to Election Commission sources, following these three city polls, elections will be conducted sequentially in the remaining nine city corporations, alongside district councils, municipal councils, and upazila (sub-district) councils across the country.

The need for fresh elections emerged after the government’s fall on 5 August 2024, which led to the resignation of mayors, chairmen, and councillors. The interim administration subsequently dissolved the representative bodies of 12 city corporations, 330 municipal councils, 497 upazila councils, and 64 district councils. Currently, all these local government bodies, except for union councils, are being administered by appointed administrators. However, by court order, Shahadat Hossain continues to serve as mayor of Chattogram City Corporation.

Sources within the EC reveal that discussions on organising local government elections began immediately after the interim government assumed office. Initially, a letter was sent to the EC to prepare for elections in the three major city corporations. However, objections from the BNP and several other political parties delayed the parliamentary approval required to hold the elections.

Legally, city corporation elections must be held within 180 days prior to the expiry of the term. Key dates for the three cities are as follows:

Given the approaching expiry dates and the legal mandate, the EC considers elections in these three cities as a top priority. Preparations will include updating voter lists, delineating electoral boundaries, verifying candidates, and appointing election officers. For Chattogram, where time is especially limited, the EC may implement a separate emergency plan to ensure the process is completed efficiently.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the media, “Our principal responsibility is to organise elections. We must always remain prepared, and once government directives are received, we will proceed with city corporation and other local government polls without delay.”

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud confirmed that, following Eid, local government elections will be conducted in a continuous and systematic manner across the country, ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process.

This phased approach aims to restore elected representation to local governance structures after nearly two years under administrative oversight, marking a significant step in strengthening democratic institutions at the local level.