Shops, malls remain closed on Feb 11, 12

All shops, commercial establishments and shopping malls across the country will remain closed on February 11 and 12 in view of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12.

Bangladesh Shop Owners Association made the decision in a press release on Saturday.

The association said that the closure was aligned with government measures aimed at ensuring smooth conduct of the election and facilitating public participation in voting.

"Shops, business establishments and shopping malls nationwide will therefore remain shut on Wednesday and Thursday," it said. In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has declared February 10 a general holiday for workers and employees in industrial areas.

Industrial workers, as a result, will observe three consecutive holidays from February 10 to 12.

The government has already declared February 11 a public holiday on the occasion of election, while polling day on February 12 is a statutory holiday. With the regular weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday following the election, the country is set to observe several consecutive days of holidays centring on the polls.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com