EC postpones polls in 19 upazilas due to adverse weather conditions

The Election Commission (EC) postponed the polls for the Upazila Parishad Elections in 19 upazilas of Bagerhat, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Barguna, and Rangamati, said Md Jahangir Alam, secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat today (27 May).

The polling in these upazilas was scheduled to take place on 29 May.  

Responding to a question during a press briefing at Election Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon, he said the number of upazilas where polling has been postponed could increase.

"If we receive more information about areas where the water level has risen, and polling stations have submerged, or roads have become impassable, then the vote in those upazilas could also be suspended," he said.

Jahangir Alam said that the suspension of voting was based on information and recommendations from the field administration.

"For now, we have postponed it. We will announce our decision regarding conducting the vote in these areas later," he added.

The upazilas where polling has been postponed in the Bagerhat district are Sarankhola, Morrelganj, and Mongla.

Under the Khulna district, polling in Koyra, Paikgacha, and Dumuria, and in Gaurnadi and Agailjhara upazilas under Barishal has been postponed.

In Pirojpur, polls in Mothbaria upazila have been postponed. In Patuakhali, polling in Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj, and Dumki has been postponed.

Polling in Bhola's Tajumoddin and Lalmohan, Jhalokathi's Rajapur and Kathalia, Barguna's Bamna and Pathorghata, and Rangamati's Baghaichari have also been postponed.