Voters in the 36 new wards of the North and South City Corporations will also cast their franchise to elect councillors.

The Election Commission or EC had said the polls will be held in the last week of February, with the full schedule being announced in the second week of January.

On Tuesday, EC acting Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed told the media that the decision was made at a meeting with officials of the education ministry and educations board.

“The chairmen of the boards for secondary and higher secondary education, madrasa and technical education said they have no problem. They will set the new dates after the polls schedule is announced,” he said.

The mayoral seat was vacated following the death of Annisul Huq.

The previous polls for the two Dhaka city corporations were held on Apr 28, 2015. Huq won the Dhaka North mayor’s seat with support from the Awami League.

Huq was two years into his term when he was hospitalised for cerebral vasculitis in July during a trip to London. He died on Nov 30.

On Dec 1, the Local Government Division declared the mayor’s post vacant, giving the EC 90 days until Feb 27 to arrange new by-polls.

The SSC and equivalent examinations are set to begin from Feb 1.

According to the schedule, the test for Geography and Environment is scheduled on Feb 24 and the practical exam of Music the next day.

“The Election Commission is preparing to announce a schedule after it has resolved all complications,” said EC acting Secretary Ahmed. “The schedule will fix a date after Feb 24.”