The government has declared general holiday in the electoral areas for by-elections to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on February 28.

The Ministry of Public Administration today published a circular responding to a call of the Election Commission (EC) for holding of the elections.

The decision has been taken so that the staff and employees of all government, non-government and autonomous bodies and teachers and employees of all government and other educational institutes can take part in the voting.

If there is any schedule for public examination on the day in the electoral areas, then the exam centres and teachers and staff of the respective educational institutes will remain out of purview of the holiday, the circular said.

In line with the directive of the president, the ministry of public administration issued the circular.

Awami League candidate Atiqul Islam will contest the DNCC polls with "boat" symbol, while Shafin Ahmed of Jatiya Party (JP) with "plough"; Anisur Rahman of National People's Party (NPP) with "mango"; Progressive Democratic Party's Shahin Khan with "tiger" and independent candidate Abdur Rahim with "table clock".

The candidates can continue their election campaign till midnight of February 26, according to the polls schedule.

The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant following the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017. He was elected mayor on April 28, 2015.

Election to councillor posts in the 36 new wards -- 18 under the Dhaka North City Corporation and 18 under the Dhaka South City Corporation -- will also be held on February 28.