Fake notification on Facebook about holidays around election

On the occasion of the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections on January 7, a fake notification announcing the holiday of government officials has been detected on social media. The Ministry of Public Administration has said that the notification spread on social media Facebook is fake/rumour. In addition, the information directorate has released pictures of the correct and rumored notifications.

The fake notification, signed by Sonia Hasan, Deputy Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, said that legal action will be taken against those who neglect to declare holidays. An election holiday has been declared from January 5-8 to facilitate voting on fake notifications. At the same time, it has been mentioned that 'legal action will be taken against those who neglect to declare holidays' with financial penalty.

About this, Sonia Hasan told the media on Thursday (January 3) that, 'This is a fake notification. The exact notification is on our website.'

Earlier on December 28, a notification was issued by the Public Administration Ministry announcing a general holiday across the country on the occasion of the National Assembly elections on January 7. According to the notification, as per the demand of the Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat, on the occasion of the 12th National Parliament Election on January 7 (Sunday), the voting rights of the officers/employees working in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices/institutions/organizations and teachers/officers/employees of government and private educational institutions. A general election holiday has been declared across the country to facilitate the application and polling.

Earlier, the Election Commission directed the Ministry of Public Administration to declare a general holiday on the day of polling on December 24.

EC's letter said that the 12th National Assembly elections will be held on January 7. On the occasion of election, polling day i.e., 7th January (Sunday) should be declared as a general holiday across the country. In this situation, instructions are requested to take necessary measures to declare 7th January (Sunday) as a general holiday.