The Election Commission has directed the Ministry of Public Administration to declare a public holiday in Dhaka city on February 1, on the occasion of Dhaka north and south city corporation elections.

The EC issued a notice, signed by its deputy secretary M Atiar Rahman, in this regard today. 

According to the notice, a general holiday will be declared in DNCC and DSCC areas on February 1 on the occasion of the two city elections.

Due to the holiday, all government and non-government offices, organisations and institutions will remain closed, it said.

Besides, all factories and commercial offices located in the election areas will remain closed on the voting day, it added.

On January 18, the EC shifted the Dhaka city corporation election date to February 1 in the face of mounting pressure from various quarters as the previous date, January 30, coincided with Saraswati Puja.