Polls-time MFS curbs bring miseries for many
Funds for party workers can’t go thru’ bKash or Nagad, but leaders promise to pay later
Highlights
- General public facing hardship from MFS restrictions
- Parties' election workers struggle to receive travel allowances
- Cash-in, cash-out services on bKash, Nagad suspended
- Election workers forced to borrow temporarily from acquaintances
- MFS agents report rising customer frustration, service disruption
- P2P transfers limited; Tk1,000 per transaction allowed
- Garment workers face difficulties to withdraw credited wages
General people along with activists and workers involved in election activities are facing mounting difficulties after restrictions were imposed on mobile financial services (MFS) transactions ahead of the 13th general election.
With cash-in and cash-out services on bKash and Nagad suspended, many political activists and workers say they are unable to receive travel fares and small daily allowances, forcing them to rely on credit in certain areas.
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Amanullah Aman, overseeing election activities in the Gazipur-1 constituency, told TBS that it has become nearly impossible to send funds to cover election workers' travel and incidental expenses or to transfer money using mobile banking.
"Due to the central bank's restrictions, we cannot send money. Even when we hand over Tk30,000–40,000 in cash to local leaders, they struggle to distribute it to party workers because of administrative concerns," he said.
He added that many party workers have been advised to borrow from acquaintances for now. "Once mobile banking resumes after the election, we will repay them," he said.
Jasim, a party leader managing election operations in the Bhola-4 constituency, voiced similar concerns. "Even promises to pay after the election are not convincing for many," he added.
MFS agents report customer frustration
MFS agents in the capital say customers are growing frustrated after finding key services unavailable.
An agent at Mayer Doa Departmental Store in Sutrapur said cash-out services for bKash, Nagad and Rocket have remained suspended since the restrictions took effect, leaving many customers unaware and disappointed.
Shamsul Islam, an agent in Wari, said cash-out and add-money services are halted, although customers can still send up to Tk1,000 through permitted channels.
Similar disruptions are being reported outside the capital.
96-hour MFS transaction limits
Bangladesh Bank has issued directives restricting MFS and peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions for 96 hours. During this period, P2P internet banking transfers through Internet Banking Fund Transfers (IBFT) remain fully suspended.
Under a circular issued on 8 February, customers of bKash, Nagad, Rocket and other MFS providers may transfer a maximum of Tk1,000 per transaction from 12:00am on 9 February to 11:59pm on 12 February, with up to 10 such transactions allowed daily.
Relevant sources said the restrictions aim to prevent the flow of illicit funds for vote buying or sabotage during the election period. Full services are expected to resume after midnight on 12 February.
Shamsuddin Dalim, executive vice president and head of corporate communications at bKash, said the measures were intended to curb the spread of black money during the election. "We are complying with the central bank's instructions," he told TBS.
