Politics

Union parishad elections set for five phases in 2027

The Election Commission has announced five rounds of union parishad voting from 21 January to 27 May 2027. Around 4,300 councils are expected to take part. Detailed schedules are to follow six weeks before each phase, with the contests formally non-partisan.

Bengal Brief · 12 October 2026 · 1 min read

From 13 October 2026 — Daily Brief

The Election Commission has announced five rounds of union parishad elections in 2027, beginning on 21 January and ending on 27 May.

The other polling dates are 4 February, 29 April and 13 May. Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah set out the roadmap after a meeting in Dhaka on 12 October.

About 4,300 councils have completed their terms or will enter the election cycle during the period, he said. Deputy commissioners are to announce detailed schedules six weeks before each round.

The elections will formally be non-partisan following the suspension of voting with party symbols. Political parties and their local networks nevertheless remain relevant to the contests.

The roadmap replaces earlier tentative dates. It establishes the five voting phases, but nomination deadlines and arrangements for particular councils will be specified in the individual schedules. The commission’s stated objective is to complete these elections by 27 May 2027.

Source: The Business Standard, 12 October 2026.

Keep reading

View all ↗

Politics

NCP calls Shahbag protest for 30 October, demands two ministers resign

The NCP plans a 3pm protest outside the National Museum at Shahbag on 30 October. Launching a week of outreach, Nahid Islam demanded the home and energy ministers’ resignation, a constitutional reform council and changes to laws the party describes as authoritarian.

1 min read191 words

Politics

Jamaat-led alliance challenges by-election preparations, announces long march

The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance alleges plans to manipulate the 29 October Thakurgaon-1 by-election. It also announced a Dhaka–Khulna–Kushtia long march for 31 October over referendum implementation, public services and living costs. The manipulation allegation remains unproven in the reports reviewed.

1 min read191 words

Politics

NCP reshapes central leadership while retaining Nahid and Akhter

The NCP published a new 195-position central committee on 23 October. Nahid Islam and Akhter Hossen retain the top posts, while Nasiruddin Patwary, Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam and Asif Mahmud receive revised senior roles. The reorganisation also changes how organisational and policy responsibilities are distributed.

1 min read189 words

Politics

Ministry sources say envoy will miss prime minister’s Japan visit

Foreign ministry sources say Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan, Md Daud Ali, will remain in Dhaka during the prime minister’s 26–29 October visit. Secretary Nazrul Islam will coordinate arrangements in Tokyo. The reason remains unclear: one official cited illness and said the ambassador’s participation would be clarified after the holiday.

1 min read159 words

Politics

Seven Islamic parties agree common platform while retaining existing alliances

Seven Islamic parties agreed on 22 October to work under a common banner after a Dhaka meeting facilitated by Hefazat-e-Islam leaders. Representatives said the parties would retain their own organisations and existing alliances. A 21-member liaison committee will coordinate the initiative, with further discussion of its structure and activities planned.

1 min read187 words

Politics

Prime minister inspects Mongla port and proposed economic zone

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inspected Mongla port and the proposed BEZA economic zone on 22 October after visiting the Sundarbans and a naval base. He met naval, port and local officials. Business representatives called for better navigability, additional jetty capacity and faster customs services to increase use of the port.

1 min read137 words