The Ministry of Home Affairs has banned all celebration for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in public places and rooftops due to the 11th parliamentary election.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal made the announcement on Sunday during a press briefing at the Secretariat.
The press briefing was held to discuss safety measures during the time of New Year and Christmas.
He said from the eve of December 31 to January 1, no one would be allowed to carry legal firearms, or celebrate the New Year’s Eve with fireworks or flying lanterns.
Entry to Dhaka University will not be allowed unless someone carries a Dhaka University sticker. No gatherings or DJ parties will be allowed in hotels, nor any gathering, the minister further said.
Responding to a journalist’s query, he said law enforcement agencies would follow the instructions issued by the Election Commission. A volunteer team has been formed from the Christian community which will work with the law enforcement.
The meeting was attended by the secretaries from two ministries, and the top officials of Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, and Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, among others.
When is the election?
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on November 12 announced a new schedule for the parliamentary election.
The commissioner said the polls would be held on December 30 instead of December 23.
He also said the deadline for submitting nomination papers was now November 28 instead of November 19.
