Bangladesh extends voting window by an hour for parliamentary election, referendum

Polling centres will be open from 7:30am to 4:30pm in consideration of the two ballots voters can cast on the day

Polling centres will be open from 7:30am to 4:30pm on the day of the parliamentary election and July Charter referendum due in early February next year.

The Election Commission (EC) made the decision at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday.

“The time for voting has been extended by an hour,” said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. “It will open a half hour early in the morning and close a half-hour later. Voting will continue uninterrupted from 7:30am to 4:30pm.”

Typically, polls in Bangladesh are open from 8am to 4pm on election day. After its experiences during the mock voting process, the EC decided to extend the time for voters to cast their ballots.

The four other election commissioners, EC secretary, and other officials also attended the meeting.

EC Sanaullah highlighted several issues discussed at the meeting, including the work to be done before and after the announcement of the election schedule and overall preparations for the polls, after the meeting.

The upcoming parliamentary election and July Charter referendum are to be held on the same day in the first half of February. The EC is preparing to announce the election schedule this week.

After making its decisions, the EC is to meet with the president on Dec 10. Then, it is scheduled to announce the date of the upcoming general election in the second week of December.