The Election Commission (EC) has begun hearings on objections and suggestions regarding the draft proposal for redrawing parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 13th national election.
The hearing for the Dhaka region started on Tuesday morning at the EC headquarters, with Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin, four election commissioners, and the EC secretary in attendance.
During the session, petitioners or their legal representatives presented their arguments before the commission.
A total of over 300 petitions were filed regarding the proposed boundaries of 28 constituencies in the Dhaka region. For each constituency, one petitioner in favor and one against the proposal are being allowed to speak.
According to the schedule, hearings were held from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm for Manikganj-1, 2, 3; Munshiganj-1, 2, 3; Gazipur-1, 2, 6; Narsingdi-3, 4, 5; and Narayanganj-3, 4, 5. From 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, hearings continued for Dhaka-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19.
On July 30, the EC published its draft redemarcation of all 300 constituencies. To ensure balance in voter distribution, it proposed reducing the number of constituencies in Bagerhat from four to three, while increasing Gazipur’s constituencies from five to six.
The final day of hearings will be Wednesday, covering the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Faridpur, and Sylhet regions. Hearings will take place from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm for Panchagarh-1, 2; Rangpur-1; Kurigram-4; Sirajganj-2, 5, 6; and Pabna-1, followed by sessions from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm for Tangail-6, Jamalpur-2, Kishoreganj-1, Sylhet-1, Faridpur-1, 4, Madaripur-2, 3, and Shariatpur-2, 3.
By August 10, the EC had received 1,760 objections and suggestions concerning 83 constituencies. Following the hearings, the commission will settle the disputes and announce the final constituency boundaries.
