Article 41 sets the duration of the ballot (6 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and adds that "any extension will be communicated at the request of the Electoral Council". The Commission understands that this refers to the Provisional Electoral Council. The wording does not indicate in which cases extensions are possible. The Commission was informed by the Provisional Electoral Council that, since voters who were still waiting to vote at the closing time of the polling stations were allowed to vote (Article 53), providing for a later closing time could prolong the night-time operations, which was problematic given the energy situation. See also the comments on Article 135 below.