An Election Commission (EC) gazette on Wednesday notified changes in the boundaries of 50 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 10th general election.
“Among the 300 parliamentary constituencies of 2008, boundaries of 50 have been delimited,” EC secretary Dr Muhammad Sadik told The Independent. According to the gazette, Comilla, Kurigram, Jessore, Narayanganj and Pirojpur constituencies will see the biggest changes.
Although population is the basis for demarcating constituencies, the latest exercise gives priority to administrative facilities and regional solidarity, EC sources said. It was done as per the “Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance, 1976”, they added.
As per election rules, demarcation of constituencies should be done after the census and before the general election.
Sources said the poll panel has been working on the latest delimitation process for several months now. The EC had held talks with representatives from 28 political parties between September and December last year. The BNP and its allies did not take part in these discussions.
Following this, the EC proposed changes in the boundaries of 89 parliamentary constituencies in 28 districts on February 6. It then held mass hearings on demands and objections regarding the new demarcations from April 23 to May 12. After the hearings, the EC decided to delimit 50 constituencies.
“We heard all the demands and objections regarding the draft during the hearings. We have tried to incorporate most of the demands by political leaders and members of the civil society during the mass hearings,” election commissioner M Shah Newaz said.
However, a large number of people are not happy with the commission’s decision. EC sources said the poll panel has been receiving on an average 30 to 40 applications every day since the conclusion of the mass hearings on May 12. Most of the applicants have objected to the new delimitation and demanded restoration of the 2008 boundaries. Notable objections included applicants from Kurigram 3 and Kurigram 4 constituencies. They alleged that an election commissioner had redesigned a constituency to favour his family members.
Among political leaders, state minister for LGRD and MP of Dhaka 13, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, MP of Dhaka 15, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, and Dhaka 14 MP Aslamul Haque demanded that their parliamentary constituencies be restored to what they were in 2008. Rashed Khan Menon of Dhaka 8, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin of Dhaka 7 and Nasrul Hamid of Dhaka 3 also made similar demands.
NGOs have complained that the new delimitation will increase the imbalance in population distribution among constituencies.
Chief of Suzan (an NGO) Badiul Alam Mazumdar alleged that the procedure followed for redrawing the constituencies was not fully consistent with the delimitation ordinance of 1976.
“Since the 1973 election, Bangladesh has never followed an absolute and all-inclusive method for boundary delimitation. Even in the last parliamentary poll in 2008, which is considered to be the best election in the country’s history, delimitation did not take into account proper representation and equal voting strengths. There were huge gaps in the number of voters among the constituencies.
According to the 2008 delimitation, Khulna-1 had the lowest number of voters at 1,17,730, while Dhaka-19 (Savar) constituency had the highest number of electorates at 6,02,386 in. The difference of voters between these two constituencies was 4,48,656 (about six times),” he said.
The delimited constituencies are: Kurigram 2 (Kurigram Sadar, Rajarhat Upazila, Fulbari Upazila), Kurigram 3 (Ulipur Upazila, Chilmary Upazila 1, Ashtamichai Union, Chilmary Union 2, Nayarhat Upazila). Kurigram 4 (Roumary Upazila, Razibpur Upazila, some part of Chilmary Upazila 1, Ashtamichai union, Chilmary Upazila 2, Nayarhat Union). Bagura 1 (Sariakandi Upazila, Sonatala Upazila). Bagura 2 (Shipgang Upazila). Jessore 3 (except the Basunia Union). Jessore 4 (Bagharpara Upazilla, Avaynagar Upazila, Basundia Union of Jessore Sadar), Jessore 5 (Manirumpur Upazila), Jessore 6 (Keshaobpur Upazila), Khulna 1 (Baghiaghata Upazila, Dakope Upazila). Khulna 6 (Koyra upazila, Paikgasa), Potuakhali 1 (potuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj Upazila, Dumki Upazila), Potuakhali 2 (Baufal Upazila), Potuakhali 3 (Dashmina Upazila, Galachipa Upazila), Pirozpur 1 (Pirozpur Sadar, Nasirpur Uapazila, Nacharabad Upazila), Pirozpur 2 (Kawkhali Upazila, Bhandaria Upazila, Zianagar Upazila), Pirozpur 3 (Mathbaria Upazila), Jamalpur 2 (Ialampur Upazila), Jamalpur 3 (Motherganj Uapzila, Melandaha Upazila). Maymansing 2 (Fulpur Upazila, Tarakanda upazila), Maymansing 3 (Gouripur Upazila), Maymansing 4 (Maymansing Sadar), Netrakona 2 (Netrakona Sadar, Barhatta Upazila). Netrakona 5 (Purbodhala Upazila). Dhaka 14 ( 07, 08, 09 20, 11, 12 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation, Kawondiaya union of Savar Upazila), Dhaka 19 (Aminbazar, Tetuljhora, Vakurta, kawundia of Savar Upazila.) Gazipur 2 (19 to 38 number of wards of Gazipur City Corporation, 43 of 57 number of ward of Gazipur City Corporation, Gazipur Cantonment area . Gazipur 3 (Shrrepur Upazila, Mirjapur, Bhawalgar, Pirujali union of Gazipur Sadar Upazila). Narshighdi 1 (Sadar upazila except Amdia, Pachdona, meherpar union). Narshighdi 2 (Palash Upazila, Amdia, Pachdona, meherpar union). Narshighdi 3 (Shippur Upazila). Narshighdi 5 (Raypur Upazila). Narayanganj 3 (Sonargao Upazila). Narayabgabg 4 (Fatulla thana, Sidhdhirganj Thana). Sunamganj 4 (Sunamganj Sadar upazila, Bashwaamvar Upazila.) Sunamganj 5 ( Chatak, Doarabazar Upazila). B. baria 1(Nashirnagar Upazila). B. baria 2 (Sarail, Ashugang Upazila). B baria 3 (Bragmanbaria Sadar, Bijaynagar Upazila). Comilla 6 (Comilla adarsa Sadar upazila). Comilla 7 (Chandina upazila).Comilla 8 (Barura Uapzila). Comilla 10 (Comilla Sadar South, Nagngolcaot Upazila). Chadpur 1(Kachauya Upazila). Chandpur 2 (Matlab North, South Upazila). Chittagong 5 (Hathazary upazila, 1, 2 wards of Chittagong City Corporation). Cittagong 6 (Rawjan Upazila). Cittagong 14 (Chandanish Upazila, kewchiya, kaliais, Bajalia Dharmapur, purangar, khagria union of Sathkania Upazila).Cittagong 15 (Lohagara Upajila, Sathkania Upazila except kewchiya, kaliais, Bajalia Dharmapur, purangar, khagria union of Sathkania Upazila).
-With The Independent input
