Despite being a weekly holiday, banks across Bangladesh will remain open today, Saturday, 27 December, to facilitate election-related financial transactions.
The announcement was made in an official statement by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday, 24 December. According to the notification, all branches of scheduled banks will operate to provide voters and candidates the convenience of depositing funds for bank drafts, pay orders, or treasury challans required to purchase CDs containing voter lists or to pay nomination deposits for the upcoming 13th Parliamentary elections.
The decision ensures that all financial obligations related to the election process can be completed in a timely manner. Candidates for the elections are required to submit their nomination papers by 29 December, making today’s banking service crucial for those preparing their applications.
Bangladesh Bank emphasised that this special opening is part of its commitment to facilitate a smooth and efficient electoral process. Citizens and candidates are urged to take advantage of the temporary banking availability to complete necessary transactions.
This week’s schedule has been unusual for banking operations: banks were closed on Friday, 26 December, due to the regular weekly holiday, and on Monday, 25 December, in observance of Christmas Day. The special opening on Saturday aims to offset these closures and ensure no disruption to electoral procedures.
Key Dates for Banking and Election Activities:
| Date | Day | Occasion / Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Dec | Monday | Christmas Day – Banks Closed |
| 26 Dec | Friday | Weekly Holiday – Banks Closed |
| 27 Dec | Saturday | Banks Open – Election-related Transactions |
| 29 Dec | Monday | Deadline for Submission of Nomination Papers |
Bank officials have also reminded the public to plan their visits accordingly, as the volume of transactions related to election deposits and voter list CDs is expected to be high.
By temporarily adjusting its operating schedule, Bangladesh Bank aims to ensure that all election participants can meet deadlines without unnecessary inconvenience, reflecting a proactive approach in supporting the nation’s democratic processes.