SANGSAD BHABAN, June 16, (V7N) – Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said local government polls across the country may begin in phases from September or October this year, following the end of the monsoon season. Replying to a question from ruling party lawmaker Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the government plans to complete elections to all tiers of local government institutions within the next one year.
The minister stated that the government intends to hold elections to union parishads, municipalities, upazila parishads, zila parishads, and city corporations within a one-year timeframe. He noted that the polls would be conducted gradually, depending on the availability of budgetary resources. "Based on the availability of funds, the elections will be held in phases. Union parishad elections may be held first, followed by other local government bodies step by step," he said.
Mirza Fakhrul further informed the House that elections to all 13 city corporations, including the newly established Bogura City Corporation, would also be completed within the same period. He said election planning and financial preparations are already underway, and the necessary allocation has been included in the current national budget.
The minister said a letter has already been sent to the Election Commission to determine the detailed expenditure required for conducting the elections. "Organising local government elections requires a substantial amount of money, and the necessary allocation has been included in the current national budget," he said.
He added that once the new fiscal year begins, the Local Government Division, the Election Commission, and the Ministry of Finance will work jointly to finalize and announce the election schedule. The phased approach aims to ensure smooth and well-funded elections across all local government tiers in the country.
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