The government has declared a nationwide general holiday on Thursday, to facilitate the 13th parliamentary election.
The measure, announced through a notification from the Ministry of Public Administration, aims to ensure the smooth exercise of voting rights for the general public.
According to the directive, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private offices, as well as educational institutions, will remain closed on polling day.
Institutional closures
The holiday applies to the Bangladesh Secretariat, all ministries, directorates, and statutory bodies. Regular judicial activities will be suspended as the Supreme Court’s Appellate and High Court divisions observe the general holiday.
In the financial sector, Bangladesh Bank, all scheduled banks, and insurance companies will remain shut. Furthermore, all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, madrasas, and universities, will be closed.
Following a joint decision by the Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity (Bangladesh Shop Owners Association) and the Dhaka Metropolitan Dokan Malik Samity, all shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls across the country will also remain closed to encourage public participation and facilitate voting. Private and corporate offices and organisations will similarly observe the holiday.
Emergency services and exemptions
Despite the holiday, several essential and emergency services will remain operational for public convenience. These include hospitals, the Fire Service, and utility providers for electricity, gas, water, and emergency telecommunications.
Media organisations, including newspapers, online news portals, and television channels, along with their personnel, are exempt from the holiday. Law enforcement agencies, including the Police, Ansar, RAB, and the Army (deployed for election duties), will continue their operations.
Election personnel and offices
The Election Commission has clarified that the general holiday does not apply to officials and employees directly involved in election management. This includes returning officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers, who are required to perform their duties for the conduct of the polls.
The holiday also does not apply to teachers and bankers assigned to election roles or serving as assistants to returning officers.
While their regular institutional or teaching responsibilities will be suspended, they are required to perform their election duties for the full duration.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the polls, the Election Commission Secretariat and all its field-level offices will remain open for the entire day. The offices of returning officers and assistant returning officers are expected to handle the most intensive activities on the day of the election.
