Rush-hour chaos as commuters face transport shortages ahead of 12 Feb election

As the nation prepares for the upcoming 12 February national election, life on the streets has changed dramatically.

While many offices have closed in anticipation of the polls, my workplace remains open, meaning I had to navigate the city under unusually challenging conditions.

The roads were noticeably emptier than usual, with far fewer public and private vehicles in motion.

Even though the official vehicle restrictions are set to begin tonight, private cars were scarce, and the usual rush of people heading to offices was missing.

Yet, despite the lighter traffic, intersections were crowded with commuters desperately waiting for buses.

Public transport options were limited: only a few buses were operating, and even those arriving often had their doors locked, leaving people stranded outside.

Frustration was palpable as rickshaw and CNG drivers hiked fares, taking advantage of the scarcity to demand rates many considered unfair.

One commuter, Shahriar Ahmed, said, "Our office didn't give us off, so we have to move. This situation is very unbearable."

Another, Halimatus Sadia, added, "I have been waiting here for the last hour. No bus is coming, and even if they do, either the doors are locked or it is too crowded for women to get on. The fares for CNGs and rickshaws are too high. I am getting late for work."

Bus drivers explained the situation and challenges: vehicle owners were furious as many buses were being requisitioned for election duties, leaving only a handful to operate on the roads.

The result was a chaotic, yet strangely quiet, commute- a glimpse into the disruption the election brings to everyday city life.

A driver from Dewan Bus explained, "Usually there is only one bus on this route, 28-30. Today, there are just three buses. We are facing overcrowding, but we are helpless because our owners said not to take more buses on the road."

A Moumita Bus driver said, "We are operating with fewer buses than usual, and we have to keep the doors shut. Otherwise, there is a risk of legal cases or requisition later."

For anyone navigating the city, from journalists to daily commuters, the day served as a reminder that elections are more than a democratic exercise.

Standing at crowded intersections, waiting for a bus that never seemed to come, I felt the frustration of ordinary city dwellers firsthand.

The scarcity of public transport, locked bus doors and skyrocketing rickshaw and CNG fares made every step of the commute stressful and uncertain.

Even as a journalist accustomed to early mornings and long hours, I couldn't help but feel the anxiety and helplessness of being stuck in the crowd, watching time slip away while struggling to reach my office.

It was a small glimpse into the daily challenges faced by thousands, a cue that the path to democracy can sometimes be as chaotic and demanding as the political process itself.