In a decisive move to ensure the smooth progression of the democratic process, Bangladesh Bank has announced that all scheduled banks across the nation will remain operational this coming Saturday, 27th December. The central bank’s directive, circulated on Wednesday, was issued following a formal petition from the Election Commission. This intervention is designed to assist prospective candidates for the 13th Parliamentary Elections, providing them with the necessary financial facilities to formalise their candidacies ahead of the looming statutory deadlines.
The primary objective behind this exceptional Saturday opening is to facilitate the payment of mandatory security deposits and the procurement of Voter List CDs. These essential electoral requirements must be settled through official fiscal channels, such as bank drafts, pay-orders, or treasury challans. Under normal circumstances, banks would remain closed on this day for the weekly holiday; however, the unique demands of the electoral calendar have necessitated a temporary suspension of the standard weekend schedule.
This administrative adjustment addresses a significant logistical hurdle created by a cluster of public holidays. The festive observation of Christmas Day on Thursday, 25th December, coupled with the regular Friday weekend on the 26th, threatened to leave candidates with no access to banking services for three consecutive days. With the final deadline for the submission of nomination papers set for Monday, 29th December, the Election Commission expressed grave concerns that a prolonged banking hiatus would lead to significant complications and potential disenfranchisement for those unable to process their financial documents in time.
The central bank’s notification clarifies that all branches will be fully staffed to manage these specific transactions, ensuring that the surge in electoral filings is handled with efficiency. This move underscores the critical role that the banking sector plays in supporting the nation’s constitutional obligations. By extending operations into the weekend, the authorities have effectively mitigated the risk of a last-minute rush, allowing for a more orderly and transparent nomination process for all participants.
Crucial Banking and Electoral Schedule
| Date | Day | Operational Status | Electoral Milestone |
| 25th December | Thursday | Closed (Bank Holiday) | Christmas Day |
| 26th December | Friday | Closed (Weekend) | Standard Weekly Break |
| 27th December | Saturday | Open (Exceptional) | Processing of Deposits & Pay Orders |
| 28th December | Sunday | Open (Standard) | General Election Preparations |
| 29th December | Monday | Open (Standard) | Closing Date for Nominations |
As the country prepares for the polls, this coordination between the central bank and the Election Commission ensures that the machinery of state remains responsive to the needs of the electorate. Candidates are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the additional opening hours on Saturday to finalise their financial submissions, thereby avoiding the anticipated congestion on the final day of the nomination period.