The Election Commission (EC) will hold hearings between August 24 and 27 on objections and recommendations regarding the demarcation of parliamentary constituencies for the upcoming 13th national polls.
During the hearing, the commission will settle some 1,760 objections and recommendations concerning re-demarcation of 83 parliamentary constituencies received before the August 10 deadline.
A notification, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mahbub Alam Shah and issued on Monday, stated that the hearings will be held at the commission’s headquarters in Agargaon of the capital.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin will preside over the hearings while four election commissioners and the EC secretary will also be present there.
According to a notification, on August 24, the hearings will take place over Brahmanbaria-2,3 and 5, Cumilla-1, 2, 6, 9, 10 and 11, Noakhali-1, 2, 4 and 5, Chandpur-2 and 3, Feni-3, Lakshmipur-2 and 3 constituencies while Satkhira-3 and 4, Jashore-3 and 6, Bagerhat-1, 2 and 3. Jhalokathi-1, Barguna-1 and 2, Pirojpur-1, 2 and 3, Chattogram-3, 5, 8 and 10, Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban on August 25.
The hearings regarding Manikganj-1, 2 and 3, Munshiganj-1, 2 and 3, Gazipur-2 and 6, Narsingdi-3, 4 and 5, Narayanganj-3, 4 and 5, Dhaka-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 constituencies will be held on August 26, while Panchagarh-1 and 2, Rangpur-1 and Kurigram-4, Sirajganj-2, 5 and 6, Pabna-1, Tangail-6, Jamalpur-2 and Kishoreganj-1, Sylhet-1, Faridpur-1 and 4, Madaripur-2 and 3, Shariatpur-2 and 3 on August 27.
Participation in the hearings must carry a valid national identity card and necessary documents to the venue. The hearing schedule is final and cannot be changed.
The notification stated that following the hearings, the EC will publish the final demarcation of the 300 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the next general election.
According to EC, the highest applications have been received from Cumilla region with 683, while Rangpur saw the lowest with seven. Cumilla-1 received the highest 362 applications alone.
On July 30, the EC published a draft demarcation of the 300 parliamentary constituencies bringing changes in the boundaries of 39 constituencies in 14 districts. The draft also mentioned that the number of constituencies in Gazipur district has been increased by one from five to six, while that in Bagerhat has decreased by one from four to three.