Elections Commission (EC) has decided to hold Parliamentary elections on 17 March.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, EC said that the elections have been brought forward due to Ramadan and the administrative challenges in postponing it for after Ramadan. The statement added that the week after Eid is the beginning of the academic year and as such, it would be difficult to set up polling stations in schools for the elections.

"The final 10 days of Ramadan are public holidays and therefore might create administrative challenges for the elections. As such, EC has decided to hold the parliamentary elections on 17 March 2023," the statement said.

Ramadan begins on 11 March this year.