The first phase of Upazila Parishad election will be held on March 10.

At a press conference at the EC secretariat, Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin yesterday announced the polls schedule.

The last date for submitting nomination papers is February 11, while that of withdrawal is February 19. The scrutiny of those will be held on February 12.

On January 10, the EC secretary said the polls would be held in phases starting from the first week of March.

The first upazila polls were held in 1985, while the following three were held in 1990, 2009 and 2014. The last one was organised in six phases.

Election to 87 upazila parishads in 12 districts under Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi divisions will be held in the first phase.

The decision was made at the 45th meeting of the commission held at the EC with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.

The EC secretary said the polls would be held in five phases.

The second phase of the election is slated for March 18, the third for March 24, the fourth for March 31 and the fifth for June 18.

The first phase of the local body polls will be held in all upazilas of Panchagarh, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur under Rangpur division, all upazilas in Jamalpur and all upazilas in Netrakona except Atpara under Mymensingh division, all upazilas in Sunamganj except Jagannathpur and all upazilas in Habiganj except Shayestaganj under Sylhet division, and all upazilas in Sirajganj, Joypurhat, Natore and Rajshahi under Rajshahi division.

Besides, the commission fixed March 4 for the election to the JS reserved seats.

The last date for submitting nomination papers is February 11, while that of withdrawal is February 16. The scrutiny of those will be held on February 12.