Election Commission on Monday directed Home Ministry to declare public holiday on June 28 in view of the second phase local level elections scheduled to take place on the day in 35 districts of Provinces 1, 5 and 7.

According to EC spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma, the EC took such decision keeping in view the difficulty in disseminating public services from government and semi-government offices as most of the employees working in such offices will have to be mobilised in the election process.

Furthermore, the EC has also decided to write to the Home Ministry to allow public holidays for four days beginning June 25 in the districts where elections are being held.

The EC said that most of the voting centres of 334 local entities are being set up at educational institutions like school and colleges, therefore it was necessary to shut such schools and colleges during the period.

The EC has also decided to write to the Home Ministry to make necessary arrangements to provide it the premises of public offices like village councils, ward offices, health posts, among others, for conducting the elections, EC spokesperson Sharma said.