EC begins hearings on Dhaka constituency demarcation objections

The Election Commission (EC) commenced hearings Tuesday on objections to the re-demarcation of parliamentary constituencies in the Dhaka region, continuing the process ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections.

The day’s session opened at 10 a.m. with discussions on Manikganj-1, 2, and 3, followed by Narsingdi-4 and 5, and Narayanganj-3, 4, and 5. The hearings, held at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, are scheduled to run until 12:30 p.m.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is presiding over the hearings, which will continue until 5 p.m. Other election commissioners and the EC Secretariat secretary are also in attendance.

In the afternoon, hearings will focus on Dhaka constituencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Lawyers representing the applicants and some applicants themselves are presenting claims and objections. The EC assured all parties of a neutral process adhering strictly to legal provisions.

Hearings for objections from Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Faridpur, and Sylhet will continue on Wednesday. Morning sessions (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) will cover Panchagarh-1, 2, Rangpur-1, Kurigram-4, Sirajganj-2, 5, 6, and Pabna-1, while afternoon sessions (2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) will address Tangail-6, Jamalpur-2, Kishoreganj-1, Sylhet-1, Faridpur-1, 4, Madaripur-2, 3, and Shariatpur-2 and 3.

Following the hearings, the EC’s legal wing will announce its decisions.

On August 10, the EC received around 1,760 claims and objections related to the boundaries of 83 constituencies. The commission is expected to finalize the constituency boundaries after resolving these disputes.