The Council of Advisers on Thursday approved a proposal to declare February 11 a public holiday, in addition to the public holiday on the voting day on February 12, to help voters participate and ensure law and order management in an effective manner.
The approval was given at the Council’s weekly meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on the outcomes of the meeting.
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Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad was also present at the briefing.
The Council approved the proposal following a high-level meeting held on Wednesday to review election preparations and security issues.
Alam said the meeting also approved an additional holiday on February 10 exclusively for workers in industrial zones.
Workers in industrial zones will enjoy holidays on February 10 and 11.
Along with the public holiday on the voting day on February 12, this will result in a three-day break.
Alam said February 10 will apply only to industrial zone workers as a holiday.
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He said the reason behind the decision was to allow voters currently residing in Dhaka, industrial towns, and other major cities to travel to their respective hometowns to cast their votes, as February 11 falls on the day before the election.
The decision is also expected to help authorities manage law and order more effectively during the election period, Alam said.
An official notification regarding the decisions will be issued shortly.