Govt declares Feb 1 public holiday in capital

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the Ministry of Public Administration to declare a public holiday in Dhaka city on February 1 on the occasion of the two city corporation elections.

In this regard, a directive, signed by deputy secretary of EC M Atiar Rahman, was sent to Public Administration Secretary yesterday night.

In the directive, it is said that the general elections of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will be held on February 1 instead of January 30.

As a result, a general holiday needs to be declared in DNCC and DSCC areas on February 1.

In addition, although Saturday is listed as a weekly public holiday, it will also be necessary to declare a general holiday in the offices, organisations, institutions, including health services and educational institutions, which are considered Saturday as a working day.

For this reason, the EC directed to take necessary steps to declare a general holiday in the respective polling areas on February 1, the voting day of DNCC and DSCC elections.

On January 18, the Election Commission shifted the Dhaka city corporation polls date to February 1 as the previous date which was January 30, coincided with Saraswati Puja.