Election Commission to Hold Major City Corporation Polls After Eid-ul-Fitr

According to EC sources, the Local Government Division has already sent a formal letter to the commission requesting the restoration of elected representatives in these cities, which are currently being managed by government-appointed administrators.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman Masud has indicated that these high-profile polls will be held sequentially following the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Following the completion of the three city elections, the EC plans to phase in elections for the remaining nine city corporations, as well as district councils, municipalities, and upazila parishads across the country. This move comes as part of a broader effort to stabilize local governance following the massive political shifts of August 2024, which saw the removal of most local representatives.

Currently, only the Chattogram City Corporation has a sitting mayor, Shahadat Hossain, who assumed office following a court order. Legal requirements mandate that elections must be held within 180 days of a term's expiration. The terms for Dhaka South and Dhaka North expired in June 2024 and June 2025, respectively, while Chattogram’s term is officially ending this week on February 22. Consequently, the EC has prioritized these three regions for the first wave of voting.

In preparation for the polls, the commission will now begin essential tasks including updating voter lists, delimiting boundaries, and appointing election officers. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that the commission is fully prepared to execute the elections as soon as the government provides the final green light.