Motorcycle banned from Tuesday midnight; vehicles with EC's stickers only to be allowed on election day
In addition, taxi cabs, pick-ups, microbuses, and trucks will be barred from operating between midnight on 11 February and midnight on 12 February.
The Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on the movement of motorcycles and certain other vehicles ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections and referendum scheduled for 12 February.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told The Business Standard that vehicles with stickers issued by the commission will be allowed on polls day.
According to an EC circular issued on 27 January, motorcycle movement will remain prohibited from 10 February midnight until 13 February midnight.
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In addition, taxi cabs, pick-ups, microbuses, and trucks will be barred from operating between 11 February midnight and 12 February midnight.
However, the commission clarified that during the restriction period, buses operating on long-distance routes will continue to run on national highways, ports, inter-district routes, and within metropolitan areas. Passengers travelling locally using any vehicle as part of a long-distance journey will be allowed, provided they carry valid tickets or similar proof.
Vehicles will also be permitted for airport-related travel, including transporting passengers or relatives to and from airports, subject to the presentation of airline tickets or equivalent documents.
The commission outlined several exemptions from the restrictions.
These include vehicles used by law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, the administration, and election observers. Vehicles providing emergency services, including those carrying medicines, healthcare supplies, medical equipment, and newspapers, will also be exempted.
Special permissions will apply to election-related activities. Each contesting candidate will be allowed one vehicle, while each authorised polling agent may use one small vehicle, such as a jeep, car, or microbus, subject to approval from the returning officer and the display of official stickers.
Motorcycle use may also be permitted for journalists, observers, and officials engaged in emergency or election-related duties, with prior approval from the Election Commission.
The circular further states that vehicles operated by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and its licensed operators will be exempt, recognising telecommunications as an essential service.
Authorities will also have the power to relax restrictions on key roads, highways, port routes, and major connecting roads between districts and metropolitan areas if deemed necessary.
The Election Commission said district magistrates, metropolitan police commissioners, and other authorities have been instructed to impose additional restrictions or relaxations as required, taking into account local needs and practical circumstances during the election period.
