UP chairmen can participate in polls without resigning: HC

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday passed an order stating that the Chairmen of the Union Parishad (UP) can participate in the UP elections without resigning from their positions, reports agencies.
A High Court Division Bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice
Md. Bazlur Rahman passed the order on Tuesday.
The High Court has given such an order in view of the writ brought by the Chairmen of the Union Parishad for the two upazila elections of Kushtia and Sylhet.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has suspended elections in three Upazilas in the Bandarban District amid ongoing joint operations in the area following robberies at three bank branches by the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).
The EC had previously announced polls in Thanchi and Rowangchari on May 8 and in Ruma on May 21. The election regulator now says voting will be held in these Upazilas at a later time when convenient.
An inter-ministry meeting on the 6th Upazila Elections led by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal was held at the EC's headquarters on Tuesday. The decision to delay the elections in the three Upazilas was made at the meeting.
Top officials of various ministries and organisations including four election commissions, public security department, public administration, police, BGB, RAB were also present during the meeting.
"Law enforcing officials and the administration have been directed to act in coordination," said EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam following the end of the three-hour long meeting.
"We have decided to postpone the elections based on the information provided by the intelligence agencies. Law enforcing officials will be deployed per the demand during the four phases of the elections."
Bangladesh has 495 Upazilas. This year, 485 of them will go to the polls in four stages. The elections for the remaining Upazilas will be held after their council terms conclude.
The first phase of the 6th Upazila council elections will begin on May 8 with polls in 150 Upazilas, the second phase is on May 21 with polls in 161 Upazilas. The fourth phase of polls is set for Jun 5.