The Election Commission (EC) has postponed the Upazila Parishad elections in Thanchi, Rowangchhari, and Ruma upazilas of Bandarban due to ongoing joint law enforcement operations in the area.
"The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at an inter-ministerial meeting. We will reschedule the elections for these three upazilas at a more convenient time," EC Secretary Jahangir Alam told media following the meeting on Tuesday (23 April).
Instructions have been issued to ensure seamless coordination between law enforcement and administrative bodies, he added.
Senior officials from four election commissions, as well as representatives from the public security department, public administration, police, BGB, RAB, and other ministries and organisations, were present at the meeting.
A higher number of law enforcement officers will be deployed for the upazila elections compared to previous local government elections, the EC secretary said.
"As the voting will be done in four phases, the forces will be deployed as per the demand of the district," he added.
The Upazila Parishad elections will proceed in phases, with 150 and 160 upazilas expected to vote in the first and second phases respectively.
Phase three, involving 112 upazilas, is scheduled for 29 May, followed by the fourth phase on 5 June.
The original schedule had Rowanchari and Thanchi upazilas slated for voting on 8 May, with Ruma scheduled for 21 May.
On 2 April, a group of armed people, suspected to be members of the Kuki Chin National Front (KNF), robbed Sonali Bank in Ruma upazila.
The following day, suspected KNF members looted Sonali and Krishi Bank of Thanchi upazila.
The instances have prompted joint operations to recover stolen items and combat terrorism in Ruma and Thanchi.
