Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has said the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election will be announced this week. He shared the information on Sunday, while speaking to journalists after a meeting at the Election Commission.
Sanaullah said the schedule will be announced between 8 and 15 December. To ensure compliance with the code of conduct, two magistrates will be deployed in every upazila from the day the schedule is announced, with numbers being increased five days before the vote.
Candidates will be given 48 hours after the announcement to remove posters, and strict action will be taken if they fail to do so.
He said the Advisory Council will not be permitted to approve any new projects after the schedule is announced. No member of the Advisory Council may contest the election while holding office. Only those permitted under law will be able to take part.
He said voting hours have been extended by one hour, with polling beginning at 7:30am and ending at 4:30pm. Ballot printing for expatriate voters will begin on Monday, 8 December.
Regarding the appointment of polling officials – presiding, assistant presiding and polling officers – Sanaullah said government, semi-government and government bank officials will be engaged. The Election Commission has decided not to appoint private bank officials for election duties at this stage.
He added that election day will be a public holiday, while banks and post offices will remain open as required by the Election Commission.
