EC continues hearings on parliamentary boundary delimitation

The Election Commission (EC) continued its second day of hearings on the re-determination of parliamentary constituency boundaries ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The hearing began at 10 am on Monday at the EC auditorium in Agargaon.

Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin presided over the session, with senior EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed facilitating the process. Four election commissioners were present.

The day’s session covered objections from Khulna, Barisal, and Chittagong regions. In the morning, hearings were held for seven constituencies in Khulna, including Satkhira-3 and 4, Jessore-3 and 6, and Bagerhat-1, 2, and 3. The afternoon session included hearings for constituencies in Jhalokathi, Barguna, Pirojpur, Chittagong, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban.

The EC will continue these hearings through Wednesday, August 27, reviewing a total of 1,760 objections and claims. Following the review, the final gazette notification for 300 constituencies will be published.

On July 30, the EC had released a draft proposal adjusting boundaries for 300 parliamentary seats. Gazipur district gained one seat, raising its total to six, while Bagerhat’s seats were reduced from four to three to balance voter distribution.

Changes were proposed in 39 other constituencies across the country, including Panchagarh, Rangpur, Sirajganj, Satkhira, Shariatpur, Dhaka, Narayanganj, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Noakhali, and Chattogram.

Up to August 10, the EC received 1,760 objections related to 83 constituencies, which will be addressed before the final announcement.

Meanwhile, residents of Bagerhat have been protesting in front of the EC building, demanding the restoration of their previous four seats.