Banks to remain open Saturday to facilitate nomination submission

All scheduled banks across the country will remain open on Saturday to facilitate the submission of nomination papers by candidates contesting the upcoming parliamentary election.

The Election Commission on Wednesday requested Bangladesh Bank to take the necessary measures, saying candidates would need banking services to deposit security money and purchase voter list CDs while submitting nomination papers.

Bangladesh Bank will issue a notification specifying which branches will remain open.

The deadline for nomination submission is December 29. However, banks will remain closed on December 25 for Christmas and on December 26 and 27 due to the weekly holiday, making it difficult for candidates to complete required financial procedures.

Under election rules, candidates must submit security deposits and voter list fees through bank drafts, pay orders or treasury challans. To avoid complications caused by consecutive bank holidays, the Election Commission requested banks to stay open on Saturday.

Candidates will be able to complete banking transactions and collect necessary documents on that day. The Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election on December 11, with polling set for February 12.