EC asked to prepare Dhaka, Chattogram city polls

Bangla Press Desk:  The government has asked the Election Commission to begin preparations for elections in three major city corporations following the completion of parliamentary polls.

The Local Government Division sent letters to the commission requesting necessary steps to organise elections for Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation and Chattogram City Corporation.Officials at the EC’s election management wing confirmed that they received the letters and are preparing to place the matter before the commission for discussion and further action.

In separate letters, the Local Government Division secretary outlined the tenure details of the city corporations. Dhaka South City Corporation held its first meeting on 2 June 2020 and completed its five-year term on 1 June last year. Dhaka North City Corporation held its first meeting on 3 June 2020 and completed its tenure on 2 June 2025. Chattogram City Corporation held its first meeting on 23 February 2021 and will complete its term on 22 February this year.

Under the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, authorities calculate a city corporation’s five-year tenure from the date of its first meeting. The law requires elections within 180 days before the completion of the term. The division asked the EC to take steps accordingly.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the commission would hold local government elections in phases after Eid.

Following the July uprising in 2024, the government removed elected representatives from 12 city corporations, 330 municipalities, 497 upazila parishads and district councils after mayors and chairmen resigned. Administrators now run most local government bodies except union parishads.

However, a court order has allowed Shahadat Hossain to continue serving as mayor of Chattogram City Corporation.Source: daily Sun

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