Dhaka, March 21 -- The staggered Upazila council elections are set to begin on May 8 with 152 local government units going to the polls in the first phase.

The Election Commission finalised the schedule on Thursday, a day after increasing the security deposit for election aspirants and easing the procedure for independent candidates.

The watchdog decided to organise the sixth Upazila council polls in a total of four phases - with the second and third ones on May 29 and the finale on June 5.

The polls will be held to elect chairperson, vice-chairperson and female vice-chairperson in the sub-districts.

The deadline for nomination submission is Apr 15 while the aspirants will be able to withdraw within Apr 22 after scrutiny on Apr 17 in ...