The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold Union Parishad (UP) elections in five phases, beginning on January 21, 2027.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah disclosed the decision at a briefing following a commission meeting on UP elections at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon here today.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin and attended by the other four election commissioners and senior EC officials.

Sanaullah said the five phases of the elections would be held on January 21, February 4, April 29, May 13 and May 27, 2027, respectively.

Around 4,300 Union Parishads have already completed their tenures, and their elections must be held by May 27, 2027, under the law, he said.

He said the commission had initially planned to hold the elections in seven phases, as announced on September 13, but reduced the number to five due to time constraints.

District election officers will announce the election schedules, generally 42 to 45 days before polling, he said.

The commission had tried to schedule all polling days on Thursdays and would begin the elections in all districts, giving priority to Sadar upazilas, Sanaullah said.

Union Parishads whose tenures have expired under the law will also receive priority, he added.

He said the commission had tried to hold the elections before January 21, but several events, including two Eid festivals, two examinations and the Bishwa Ijtema, were scheduled within the next six to seven months, leaving the commission with a tight schedule.

Replying to a question on law and order during the elections, Sanaullah said the commission would hold separate meetings with law enforcement agencies. At an earlier meeting, the agencies had informed the commission that they would complete their training activities by November.

Asked about amendments to the law, he said the elections would be held under the law in force on the day the election schedule was announced.

On dialogue with all registered political parties, he said the remaining activities would continue in due course.

Sanaullah expressed hope that the good electoral culture the commission had begun establishing would be sustained, seeking cooperation from all relevant stakeholders.