EC begins final day of hearings on seat boundary changes

The Election Commission (EC) has begun the final day of hearings on objections to its proposed redrawing of parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 13th national election.

On Wednesday, the commission is scheduled to hear seven objections from Rangpur, 232 from Rajshahi, three from Mymensingh, 18 from Faridpur, and two from the Sylhet region.

Over the past four days, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and his colleagues reviewed 1,760 applications regarding 83 constituencies, sparked by the EC's proposal to alter the boundaries of 39 out of 300 seats. The plan includes raising Gazipur’s seats to six and reducing Bagerhat’s to three in a bid to balance voter numbers.

Applicants have included political parties, local representatives and individuals, with hearings allowing both support and opposition to be voiced.

The EC plans to publish the final gazette in September, after which preparations will begin for voter lists, polling centres and other arrangements.