Upazila election: 130 candidates withdraw from 3rd phase

The Election Commission (EC) announced on Monday that 130 candidates have withdrawn their candidacy from the upcoming third phase Upazila Parishad election, slated for May 29.

According to Md. Shariful Alam, Director (Public Relations) of the EC, this withdrawal means six candidates will now be elected unopposed. Among those stepping back from the race, 73 were vying for chairman positions, 43 for vice-chairman, and 14 for vice-chairman posts reserved for women.

Furthermore, Alam noted that among the six candidates set to be elected without contest, Pirojpur’s Bhandaria upazila stands out with all three posts going uncontested. Additionally, a vice-chairman candidate from Shariatpur’s Gosaithat upazila and candidates from Feni’s Sonagazi and Daganbhuiyan upazilas, reserved for women, are included.

The Election Commission is now set to allocate symbols for the third phase Upazila Parishad polls, allowing candidates to begin their campaigns starting today.

In terms of numbers, the third phase saw 570 nominations for chairman, 618 for vice-chairman, and 400 for vice-chairman posts reserved for women.

The third phase of upazila parishad polls is scheduled to take place across 112 Upazila Parishads on May 29, while the second phase, covering 160 upazilas, is slated for May 21.

In earlier phases, 28 candidates were elected unopposed in the first phase, followed by 21 in the second phase.

The first phase of the sixth Upazila Parishad Election occurred in 139 upazilas across 59 districts of the country. However, the event was marred by allegations of irregularities and low voter turnout.