DHAKA: At least 21 political parties out of 40 registered with the Election Commission are expected to participate in the first-ever partisan elections to the positions of union parishad (UP) chairmen.

Among the registered parties, the 21 parties have sent letters to the EC about their participation in the forthcoming election.

Assistant Secretary of Election management Ashfakur Rahman informed banglanews that they hope the parties who have submitted names of the person authorised to nominate the candidates names will take part in the election.

According to EC source, ruling party Awami League (AL) has given the power to its president Sheikh Hasina to nominate candidate, BNP has given the power to Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while Jatiyo Party to its Secretary General Ruhul Amin Howladar.

As per the election operational regulations, names of authorized persons have to be submitted to the EC and the returning officer within seven days of the announcement of the schedule.

The EC has decided to take six-phase voting in all the UPs around the country.

In the first phase, voting in 739 UPs will be held in March 22. After then that, the second phase voting will be hold in 684 UPs on  March 31 while the third phase will be held on April 23 in 711 Union Parisad.

Besides, voting to 728 unions on May 7 in the fourth phase, fifth phase will hold in 714 UPs on May 28, and the sixth round will hold in 660 unions on June 4.

12 political parties partook in the 10th Parliamentary Election under AL government. The then main opposition party BNP did not take part in that election.

But nominated candidates from 20 political parties, including BNP, took part in the last Municipal elections.

BDST:  1410 HRS, FEB 19, 2016
AIK/RS