All shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls across the country, including Dhaka, will remain closed on February 11 and 12. The decision has been taken by the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association in view of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The information was shared through a press release on Saturday (February 7).
According to the press release, the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a referendum will be held on Thursday, February 12. To ensure public participation in voting and to make it easier for citizens to exercise their voting rights, and in line with the government’s decision, shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls nationwide will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has declared a general holiday on Tuesday, February 10, for workers and employees of various industrial establishments. As a result, industrial workers will enjoy three consecutive days of holidays on February 10, 11, and 12.
The government has also declared February 11, the day before the election, as a public holiday. Election day (February 12) is already a public holiday. The two days following the vote—Friday and Saturday—are weekly holidays. Therefore, there will be several consecutive days of holidays surrounding the election.