The Election Commission (EC) has decided to extend the polling time for Sunday's parliamentary elections.

The commission made the decision at a meeting held today.

Earlier, the Election Commission had fixed the polling hours from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The queues close at 4:00 pm. However, the Election Commission has decided to extend the polling time from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm following the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee yesterday.

EC Chairman Fuwad Thaufeeq moved the matter at the advisory committee meeting held yesterday. He said it was important to decide early instead of extending the voting time at a certain point on the polling day to give more voting opportunities.

368 candidates are contesting in 93 constituencies and 602 ballot boxes will be set up. 284,663 people are eligible to vote in the election.