Polls open for seventh phase UP polls

Voting has begun for the seventh phase of local government elections to 138 union parishads (UPs) in 24 upazilas of 20 districts.

Starting at 8am in 1,350 polling stations and will continue till 4pm without any break. According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 5,874 candidates, including 576 chairman contenders, are in the electoral race in the 138 UPs.

But 71 contestants, including 11 chairman candidates, have already been elected unopposed, finding no rival candidate against their post.

More than 2.45 million voters are there under a total of 1,350 polling stations in the 138 UPs.

Of them, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in nine UPs, while the traditional ballot papers will be used in the rest ones.

On 29 December last, the EC announced the schedule for the 7th phase countrywide UP election. The deadline for submission of nomination papers expired on 12 January last.

The 138 UPs are 24 ones in Cumilla, 19 in Rangamati, 17 in Rangpur, 16 in Chattogram, 11 in Mymensingh, nine in Kishoreganj, eight in Noakhali, seven in Sunamganj, six in Patuakhali, five in Khagrachhari, three in Bandarban, two each in Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Joypurhat, and Sirajganj, one each in Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Pirojpur, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar.