Shops, malls to remain closed for two days ahead of polls

All shops, commercial outlets, and shopping malls across Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, will remain closed for two days ahead of the 13th National Parliament election, the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association announced Tuesday (February 10).

The decision, covering February 11 and 12, was taken at a joint meeting of the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners’ Association standing committee, the association said in a statement signed by President Md. Nazmul Hasan Mahmud.

The closures coincide with government-declared election holidays to ensure smooth voting.

Earlier, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a three-day official holiday notification, effective February 11–13, covering all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private offices, as well as schools and educational institutions.

Additionally, a special holiday has been declared on February 10 for workers and staff in industrial zones to facilitate their participation in the election.