Election Travel Ban Leaves Cox’s Bazar Desolate

The world’s longest natural sea beach has been transformed into a hauntingly quiet vista following an unprecedented 82-hour travel restriction imposed by the Election Commission (EC). In preparation for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the concurrent national referendum, the coastal town of Cox’s Bazar has effectively been sealed off, resulting in a total exodus of tourists and a standstill in local commerce.

A Town Under Lockdown

The directive, aimed at maintaining stringent security and public order, stipulates that no individual may remain outside their designated voting area during the specified window. According to Md. Shahidul Alam, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Cox’s Bazar, the mandate came into effect at 07:30 AM on 10 February and is scheduled to conclude at 04:30 PM on 13 February.

Under these guidelines, the hospitality sector has been dealt a severe blow. Hotel and motel owners have been explicitly instructed to cease all room rentals and refuse new guests for the duration of the ban. This enforcement has caused the bustling hubs of Laboni, Sugandha, and Kolatoli to fall silent, with the usual roar of the crowds replaced by the rhythmic sound of the surf.

Economic and Social Impact

For a town whose heartbeat is tourism, the financial repercussions are devastating. Local businesses, from luxury resorts to street-side vendors, are facing losses amounting to millions of BDT daily.

Despite the economic gloom, some local residents have taken the opportunity to enjoy the rare serenity. "Usually, there isn't a square inch of sand to step on," noted Shahedul Islam, a resident of Khurushkul. "Today, the beach feels like an entirely different world." Similarly, local students were seen wandering the desolate shoreline, marvelling at the "liberated and peaceful" atmosphere that only a national election lockdown could provide.

Security vs. Sustainability

While the EC maintains that such measures are vital for a "seamless and transparent" democratic process, the tourism industry argues that the blanket ban is excessively punitive. Small-scale entrepreneurs and beach photographers, who rely on daily footfall for their survival, have expressed deep concern over the lack of a compensatory framework for such disruptions.

As the 13 February deadline approaches, the hotels remain empty, and the streets are patrolled by security forces rather than holidaymakers. Cox's Bazar currently stands as a stark symbol of the lengths to which the state will go to ensure electoral security, even at the cost of its primary economic engine.