The first phase of the Union Parishad (UP) elections begins, marking the start of the country's maiden UP-level polls on partisan lines.

Violating electoral law, a ruling Awami League lawmaker in Jhalakathi yesterday sought votes for party-nominated chairman candidates in the union parishad polls scheduled for Tuesday.

The Election Commission has asked superintendent of police of all districts to file cases against violators of electoral code of conduct during the upcoming union parishad polls.

A Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader was killed early yesterday allegedly by members of the ruling Awami League over a feud centring on the upcoming union parishad polls in Pirojpur.

Chief Election Commission Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday directed the law enforcers to open fire on criminals if they try to occupy polling stations or stuff ballot boxes during the union parishad polls.

The Election Commission instructs law enforcers to ensure top security measures for fair voting in the upcoming Union Parishad elections.

The BNP could not nominate anyone within the deadline yesterday for contesting the chairman posts in at least 25 Union Parishads in the second phase of elections for a lack of interest among its grassroots.

The BNP has alleged that the ruling Awami League and the Election Commission are plotting to ensure victories for the AL candidates in the union parishad polls through electoral irregularities, but the AL and the EC have brushed aside the allegations.

Rebel chairman aspirants of union parishads from the Awami League and the BNP yesterday filed for candidacies in many places along with their party-nominated candidates on the last day for nomination submission.

The Election Commission is not going to seek army deployment in the upcoming Union Parishad polls as the EC apprehends lower level of violence compared to other elections.

The Election Commission is likely to announce tomorrow the schedule for Union Parishad polls to be held in around

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia expects to hold a meeting with her party’s National Standing Committee members tomorrow to discuss the country’s latest political situation and to fix the party’s strategies to ensure victory in the upcoming Union Parishad polls.

The ruling Awami League has decided to drop its lawmakers from the selection boards tasked with picking candidates for the forthcoming union parishad (UP) polls.