EC Releases Draft of Parliamentary Constituency Redelineation in Bangladesh

The Election Commission (EC) has approved the draft delimitation of parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election of Bangladesh. The technical committee has proposed to bring changes to 42 constituencies, of which the EC has approved minor changes to the boundaries of 39 constituencies, said EC Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar here on Wednesday.

Briefing media at the EC building here, he said the existing boundaries of 250 constituencies have been kept intact as no objections were received in this regard. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was present at the briefing.

The Election Commissioner mentioned that the technical committee has recommended increasing one seat in the constituency having the highest number of voters in Gazipur. The committee has also proposed to reduce one seat from the constituency with the lowest number of voters in Bagerhat.

He said, "We have determined the average number of voters in 64 districts at 4, 20,500." Assuming this, if one seat is increased in the above district, it will be in Gazipur. If one seat is reduced in Bagerhat, which is less than this average, equality will be maintained. He said, claims and objections regarding delimitation of constituency in this regard will be accepted until August 10.

Later, a final decision will be taken after the seat-wise hearing. “If the objections are minimal, the delimitation will be finalized soon,” he added. Anwarul Islam Sarkar said that minor and major amendments have been proposed in 39 seats.

These are Panchagarh-1 and 2. Rangpur-3. Sirajganj-1 and 2. Satkhira-3 and 4. Shariatpur-2 and 3. Dhaka 2, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 19. Gazipur-1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. Narayanganj 3, 4 and 5. Sylhet-1 and 3. Brahmanbaria 2 and 3. Comilla 1, 2, 10 and 11. Noakhali 1, 2, 4 and 5. Chittagong 7 and 8 and Bagerhat 2 and 3.

The Election Commissioner said that the EC has the jurisdiction to determine the boundaries of the parliamentary constituencies according to Articles 119 and 124 of the Constitution.

As per the decision of the National Consensus Commission, a 9-member specialized technical committee was formed on July 16 to determine the boundaries, including geographers, urbanists, statisticians and other experts.

This team thoroughly reviewed 300 constituencies in 64 districts prioritizing administrative system, geographical integrity and census.