The schedule for the 11th parliamentary elections is likely to be announced within a week, said Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed today.

He came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting with representatives of different ministries on election preparations at the conference room of Nirbachon Bhaban in city's Agargaon area.

Law enforcers were directed to arrest terrorists and drug addicts, and recover illegal firearms after the announcement of the election schedule to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the election, the EC secretary said.

The EC also sought lists of loan defaulters from all banks before the submission of nomination papers and all educational institutions were asked to complete their examinations before December 10, he added.

Helaluddin said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department informed the meeting that there will be biting cold at the end of December while there might be drizzle coupled with cold weather in the first 10 days of January.