Dhaka: The Election Commission has announced a set of restrictions on the movement of various types of vehicles during the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. These restrictions will affect taxi cabs, pickups, microbuses, and trucks from 12:00 midnight on 11 February to 12:00 midnight on 12 February. Additionally, motorcycle movement will be restricted from 12:00 midnight on 10 February to midnight on 13 February, as stated in a recent handout.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the restrictions will be relaxed for certain categories. The exemptions include vehicles belonging to law enforcement agencies, armed forces, administration, and authorized observers. Vehicles engaged in emergency services, those carrying medicines, health-related goods, and newspapers, as well as vehicles used for airport transit with appropriate proof, are also exempt. Long-distance passenger vehicles for local travel, a single vehicle for each contesting candidate and their election agent with proper identification, and vehicles for journalists and observers with approval from the Election Commission and the Returning Officer are included in the exemptions. Motorcycles for election-related officers and employees also fall under this category, subject to approval.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and BTRC-licensed organizations have been permitted to implement measures to relax restrictions on vehicles, particularly on national highways, ports, and critical roads. This is to facilitate telecommunication services considered as emergency services, ensuring essential connectivity during the election period.
The District Magistrate and Metropolitan Police Commissioner have been given the authority to impose or relax restrictions on vehicles not covered under the general exemptions, as per the election schedule. This directive was outlined in a notification signed by Al-Amin Md. Nurul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department.