The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the 13th parliamentary polls between 8 and 15 December.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah shared the information with the media on Sunday.

Speaking after the Commission’s tenth meeting of the year, he said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin earlier indicated that the schedule would be announced in the second week of December. Following that timeline, it could be announced on any day between 8 and 15 December, he said.

The Election Commission has also extended voting hours by one hour, with polling now starting at 7:30am and ending at 4:30pm, he said.

Sanaullah said election materials, including ballot papers, will be delivered to polling centres on the night before voting, following previous practice.

While speaking about postal voting, he said printing of ballot papers for overseas voters will begin on Monday, with dispatches scheduled from Tuesday.

The Commission has reviewed staffing needs for presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers, he said.

“We have decided to include officials from government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous bodies, as well as state-owned banks. Officials from private banks will remain on reserve and will be used only if necessary,” the election commissioner added.