CEC vows professionalism as hearings begin on draft constituency boundaries

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has assured that the redrawing of parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 13th national election is being carried out with “professionalism and impartiality”.

Speaking at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday, Nasir said: “We have tried to work professionally and impartially. As per the law, an opportunity has been given to file objections and appeals regarding the draft boundaries. We have taken your petitions into consideration. Now it is your turn to present logical arguments during the hearings.”

The hearings on objections to the draft boundaries began on Sunday afternoon.

The process will run for four days, starting with cases relating to 18 constituencies in Cumilla. Objectors or their authorised representatives have been asked to attend.

Sunday’s hearings will cover Brahmanbaria-2, 3 and 5, Cumilla-6, 9, 10 and 11, Noakhali-1, 2, 4 and 5, Chandpur-2 and 3, Feni-3, and Lakshmipur-2 and 3, according to the EC.

The draft boundary plan, published on Jul 30, redrew all 300 constituencies to balance voter numbers. It proposed reducing Bagerhat’s constituencies from four to three, while increasing Gazipur’s from five to six.

By Aug 10, the EC had received 1,760 objections regarding 83 constituencies. Officials said the hearings will continue until Aug 27, after which the final boundaries will be announced.