Bangladesh’s ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) faces a major challenge in selecting single candidates for the upcoming Union Parishad elections, while Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed doubts over whether the Election Commission (EC) will be able to hold the polls according to its announced schedule.

The EC has finalised a five-phase election schedule for approximately 4,300 Union Parishads, with voting set to begin on January 21, 2027, and conclude on May 27. The timetable was approved at the commission’s 13th meeting in Dhaka on Monday, October 12.

BNP struggles to select single candidates

Selecting one candidate for each chairman’s post is emerging as a key organisational challenge for the BNP. Multiple aspirants are competing for nominations in many Union Parishads, reflecting divisions among local leaders and rival factions within the party.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has repeatedly urged party leaders to remain united and support candidates selected through a collective decision. The party leadership has instructed local organisers to prioritise candidates with strong public support, organisational standing and contributions to previous political movements.

The party has also warned that disciplinary action could be taken against members who contest against the party-supported candidate. Local leaders will take responsibility for selecting candidates, with divisional organisers and the central leadership stepping in when necessary.

Although the upcoming local elections will not use party symbols, the BNP plans to coordinate support for its preferred candidates.

Jamaat questions EC’s ability to hold polls

Jamaat-e-Islami says it is prepared for the elections but remains uncertain whether the EC will be able to conduct them as scheduled. The party has pointed to earlier changes in the proposed timetable and concerns raised by government officials about the preparedness of law enforcement agencies.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad criticised the commission’s independence and questioned whether the government would allow the polls to proceed on time. He also alleged that internal divisions within the BNP could lead to clashes during the elections. These were his political assessments, not independently established findings.

Jamaat says it began preparing for local government elections in 2025 and has continued its outreach activities. The party has also indicated that its 11-party alliance will not contest the Union Parishad elections as a centralised alliance, although local-level understandings between partner parties may be possible.

EC outlines five-phase schedule

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah said the commission had reduced the planned election phases from seven to five because of time constraints.

The scheduled voting dates are January 21, February 4, April 29, May 13 and May 27, 2027. District election officers will announce the individual election schedules, generally allowing 42 to 45 days before voting.

The commission plans to prioritise Union Parishads whose terms have expired and begin voting in all districts during the first phase. Sanaullah also said the EC would hold separate meetings with law enforcement agencies to discuss election security.

The timetable follows an earlier disagreement over the proposed dates. In September, the EC initially indicated that voting could begin in November, but later revised its position after government officials raised concerns about the timing and coordination. The commission subsequently said school examinations and major religious occasions had to be considered.

The upcoming polls will take place without party symbols under the revised local election framework. The EC’s ability to maintain security, manage competing candidates and follow the announced schedule will be closely watched by political parties.