Nationwide Traffic Restrictions Issued Ahead of Election

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has issued a new directive imposing temporary traffic restrictions across Bangladesh in preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and concurrent referendum.

Signed on Sunday by Al-Amin Md. Nurul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Roads and Highways Division, the official notification specifies that certain vehicles will face nationwide movement restrictions during the polling period.

According to the directive, taxis, pickups, minibuses, and trucks will be prohibited from operating from midnight on 11 February until midnight on 12 February, the day of voting. Motorcycles will be subject to a more stringent restriction, with a complete ban from midnight on 10 February to midnight on 13 February, effectively covering a 72-hour period. Exceptions have been made for emergency situations and election-related operations.

The restrictions, however, do not apply to law enforcement agencies, armed forces, government administration, or authorised election observers. Vehicles engaged in essential services such as medical transport, medicines, healthcare, and newspaper distribution are also exempt.

Special provisions have been outlined for candidates, election agents, and journalists. With prior approval from the Returning Officer and the display of a designated sticker, each candidate and their election agent may use one small vehicle, such as a jeep, car, or minibus. Journalists and authorised observers may also operate vehicles or motorcycles with Election Commission approval. Officials and staff involved in election management, as well as vehicles licensed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to maintain telecom services, are similarly exempt.

To ensure essential connectivity, national highways, port routes, and key inter-district or metropolitan access roads will remain operational. District magistrates and metropolitan police commissioners have discretionary authority to tighten or relax these restrictions based on local conditions.

Summary of Key Vehicle Restrictions:

Authorities emphasise that these measures aim to ensure the smooth conduct of voting while maintaining critical mobility across the country, with strict enforcement to preserve law and order during the electoral process.