Dhaka, June 16 -- Local government elections in Bangladesh may begin in phases from September or October after the monsoon season, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said, although no final schedule has been confirmed.

Speaking in parliament during the question-and-answer session on Tuesday, he said the government plans to complete elections to Union councils, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads and city corporations within a year.

"First, Union council elections may be held, followed by other elections in phases," he said in response to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Mustafizur Rahman Babul.

Fakhrul said the election schedule and sequencing would depend on budget availability, adding that financial ...