The Advisory Council has approved a general holiday on February 11 ahead of Bangladesh’s national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that industrial workers will also receive leave on February 10, giving them a three-day break. With the weekend following the election, most government employees will enjoy a four-day holiday from February 11 to 14. However, officials directly involved in election duties will not be able to take this extended leave.

According to the Election Commission’s structure, returning officers, assistant returning officers, presiding officers, and polling officers—mostly government employees and teachers—will oversee voting at about 42,000 polling centers nationwide. These officials, along with essential service providers, will continue working during the election period.

Essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, ports, telecommunications, postal operations, sanitation, hospitals, emergency medical services, and related offices will remain open to ensure uninterrupted public service during the election period.