Ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum, the Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on the movement of vehicles.
As per the EC’s decision, motorcycle movement will be suspended for three days, while several categories of vehicles will be barred from operating for 24 hours. Restrictions have also been imposed on water transport. However, exemptions will apply for emergency services, election-related officials, and cases of special necessity.
The directives were issued through two separate letters signed on Tuesday by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary of the Election Management-2 wing, requesting the Road Transport and Highways Division and the Department of Shipping to implement the measures.
3-day ban on motorcycle movement
For the polling day, a 24-hour restriction will be in force from midnight on 11 February to midnight on 12 February, during which taxicabs, pick-ups, microbuses, and trucks will not be allowed to operate. In addition, a 72-hour ban on motorcycle movement will remain in effect from midnight on 10 February to midnight on 13 February.
The restrictions will be relaxed for law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, the administration, authorised observers, and vehicles used by newspapers. Exemptions will also apply to emergency services such as medicine supply and healthcare; vehicles carrying passengers or relatives travelling to and from airports, subject to ticket verification; long-distance passenger vehicles; one vehicle (jeep/car/microbus) per contesting candidate and their election agent with the approval of the returning officer; and vehicles used by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and licensed telecom service providers.
The EC’s directives further state that restrictions will be relaxed on national highways, ports, and key roads used for inter-district or metropolitan entry and exit. District magistrates or metropolitan police commissioners may also impose additional restrictions or grant further relaxations based on local realities and requirements.
Water transport to remain suspended for 24 hours
For the election and referendum scheduled on 12 February, the movement of launches and engine boats, except those operating on designated routes, will be suspended from midnight on 11 February to midnight on 12 February. Based on local needs and realities, further restrictions may be imposed on certain watercraft, or existing restrictions may be relaxed.
Presiding officers to send results by post free of charge
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued special instructions to simplify the process of sending vote count statements. Presiding officers will be able to send copies of result statements directly to the Election Commission Secretariat by post without paying any advance postal charges.
In a letter issued on Tuesday, the EC requested the director general of the Department of Posts to take the necessary measures.
The instructions state that, in accordance with the Representation of the People Order, 1972, presiding officers must send a copy of the vote count statement in a special envelope directly to the EC secretary by post. No advance payment will be required. The documents will be sent either by insured post or through the registered acknowledgement due (A/D) system. The postal charges will later be settled with the postal department through a book adjustment.
The EC also said that post offices concerned have been instructed to remain open on polling day, 12 February, from 4:30pm until the completion of work, if necessary, throughout the night and into the following morning. The special arrangement aims to ensure that presiding officers can post the results immediately after completing the count.
Instructions for urgent delivery
The letter added that the special postal service will remain in operation for several days following polling day. The postal department has been instructed to make special arrangements to ensure the result statements reach the Election Commission on an urgent basis. Presiding officers must collect the acknowledgement receipt (A/D) from the post office.
