Amid widespread speculation that the national election schedule might be announced on 9, 10 or 11 December, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhter Ahmed on Friday said the Commission has not taken any decision regarding the dates for announcing the schedule of the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum.

Speaking to the media, he dismissed reports circulating across social media.

Referring to the published dates, he said, “I do not know who gave it. I do not know who gave the dates for the schedule. I also do not know the polling date. If anyone has given such information, they have done so by mixing their own imagination — that is all I can say.”

When asked specifically whether the schedule might be unveiled on 10 December, he replied, “There is no confirmed news regarding the schedule or the polling date as of now. There are many discussions, many speculations. But nothing has been confirmed at the Commission level.”

Akhter Ahmed further said, “There have been many discussions about days and dates, but none has been fixed. If anyone is circulating such reports, it misleads people. This is not appropriate.”

Taking full responsibility, the EC Secretary added, “You may quote me as saying that no information regarding this has been provided by the Commission so far. It is misleading, and spreading confusion is not right.”