EC cancels holidays for its staff to expedite electoral preparation

The Election Commission has cancelled weekly and government holidays for its officials and employees both at the headquarters and field-level offices to expedite the preparatory works for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election planned to be held in early February 2026.

According to an office order issued on Thursday (16 October), all EC officials and staff members have been instructed to attend office even on weekends and public holidays and work beyond regular office hours to ensure timely completion of electoral presentation.

"The officials and employees concerned are hereby directed to remain present in the office during weekly and public holidays and after the office hours to accomplish all necessary preparatory activities smoothly before the announcement of the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election," reads the directive.

The 13th parliamentary election schedule is likely to be announced in December, while voting is expected to take place in February next year. Besides, the EC may need to conduct a referendum over the July National Charter 2025 either before the polls or simultaneously with the national election day.

The office order have been sent to the EC's additional secretary, the directors general of the National Identity Registration Wing and the Electoral Training Institute, the project director of IDEA-2, all joint secretaries, system managers, regional election officers, deputy secretaries, directors, senior district election officers, district election officers, the personal secretaries to the Chief Election Commissioner, election commissioners and the EC senior secretary, as well as all upazila and thana election officers.