Published : 20 Feb 2026, 07:22 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:22 PM
With the parliamentary polls over, the Election Commission (EC) has begun drawing a roadmap for local government elections, with the Dhaka and Chattogram City Corporations likely to go to the polls first.
The commission, led by AMM Nasir Uddin, is expected to discuss the detailed work plan in a formal meeting next week.
According to Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, said the commission plans to prioritise parliamentary by-elections and the election for reserved women's seats in February and March.
The parliamentary elections concluded on Feb 12. Voting for the Sherpur-3 constituency was postponed due to a candidate's death, and a by-election for the Bogura-6 seat, vacated by the BNP chairman, is still pending.
"After the by-elections for the 13th parliament, we aim to hold city corporation elections between April and June," Masud told reporters.
He added that elections for district councils, Upazilas, and municipalities would follow in phases based on the expiration of their terms.
City corporation elections could be held between April and June, he said.
The Local Government Division has already requested the EC to hold city corporation elections.
In separate letters, the division called for necessary measures to hold the polls for Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Chattogram City Corporation.
The five-year term of the Dhaka South City Corporation ended on Jun 1, 2025, while the Dhaka North City Corporation’s term concluded a day later.
The term of the Chattogram City Corporation is set to conclude two days later on Sunday.
City corporation elections are required to be held within 180 days before the expiration of their terms.
“We will likely formulate the city corporation work plan by next week,” said Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker.
The move to hold local elections follows a period of administrative transition.
Following the July Uprising and the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration removed elected representatives from 12 city corporations, 330 municipalities, 497 Upazilas, and 64 district councils.
While administrators currently run most local bodies, the Union Parishads, the lowest tier of local government, still retain their chairmen and members, though many remain absent or in custody.
Under new ordinances issued last year, local government elections will no longer feature party nominations or symbols.
Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir recently reiterated the government's intent to hold these elections as quickly as possible.
The EC aims to complete the process by 2026.
