ATM Booths See Long Queues as Bangladesh Bank Imposes MFS Restrictions Ahead of Election
To prevent illegal money transactions aimed at influencing voters in the national parliamentary election, Bangladesh Bank has imposed strict restrictions on mobile financial services (MFS) and internet banking transactions. As a result, customers are crowding ATM booths to withdraw cash, since money transfers and cash-out services from agent numbers have been temporarily suspended.
On Monday, 9 February, long queues were seen in front of ATM booths in the capital and across various parts of the country. In addition to densely populated areas of Dhaka, heavy pressure was observed at ATM booths in Konabari, Gazipur, particularly during nighttime. Security personnel stationed at these booths said customers began lining up from the afternoon, although cash withdrawals were proceeding without technical difficulties.
Hasan, who works as an agent for a mobile banking service in Paltan, said, “Transfers from agent numbers to other numbers are currently suspended. Cash-out services are also closed. These rules have been imposed due to the election. We hope the situation will return to normal after voting.”
Shafiqul Islam, a linking operator at Titas Sweater Ltd. in Ward No. 9 under Konabari Police Station, said the factory has announced a four-day closure starting tomorrow due to the election. “I have to go home to vote, but I still haven’t been able to withdraw money. Every month we face harassment like this,” he added.
Around 8:30 pm, nearly 20 customers were seen standing in a long queue at an Islami Bank ATM booth in Paltan. By 9:00 pm, a crowd gathered in front of a Dutch-Bangla Bank ATM booth opposite Gate No. 3 of Bashundhara Residential Area. At around 10:00 pm, 15 to 20 people were found waiting in line at a Dutch-Bangla Bank booth in Middle Badda. A queue of 10 to 12 people was also observed at a Standard Chartered Bank ATM in Gulshan around 10:30 pm.
Most of the customers withdrawing cash in the evening were private-sector employees. However, in areas such as Tejgaon, Motijheel, and Mirpur, crowds were largely made up of workers, most of them garment employees.
Hafizul Islam, a small trader from Badda, said, “I rely on mobile banking for daily transactions. This sudden decision has put small business owners like us in trouble. Due to ATM congestion, we are not getting cash on time.”
Mamun Mia, who works at a sweater factory in Mirpur, said he had been waiting for nearly an hour to withdraw money. “My salary was paid today. bKash is also not working, so I am standing here to withdraw cash,” he said.
Private employee Hasan Mahmud said he was forced to come to the ATM because agent cash-out services were unavailable. “I urgently need some money. I couldn’t withdraw cash from a Rocket agent. Two agents told me that transfers and cash-outs from agent numbers are currently suspended. Transfers of up to Tk 1,000 between personal numbers are allowed, but I need more than that. That’s why I came to the ATM,” he explained.
Salma Akhter, a garment worker waiting at an ATM booth in Rampura, said, “I came to withdraw money for household expenses. Earlier, I could withdraw cash from a nearby agent, but that’s now closed. Standing in line with a small child is very difficult. Cash can be withdrawn from banks, but not from agents. What kind of rule is this? Now we have to stand in line like this to get our necessary money.”
According to Bangladesh Bank directives, special transaction limits on MFS and prepaid instruments (PPI) will remain in effect for 96 hours—from 12:00 am on 8 February to 11:59 pm on 12 February. During this period, no more than Tk 1,000 can be sent per transaction using services such as Nagad or Rocket. As a result, on platforms including bKash, Rocket, and Nagad, the maximum per-transaction limit is Tk 1,000, with a daily cap of 10 transactions totaling Tk 10,000. However, merchant payments and utility bill payments will continue under existing rules, while all other types of MFS transactions will remain temporarily suspended.
Under normal circumstances, MFS customers can send up to Tk 50,000 per day through agents and withdraw up to Tk 30,000. Person-to-person transfers allow up to Tk 50,000 per day and Tk 300,000 per month, with a maximum of 50 transactions daily and 100 transactions monthly.
Meanwhile, ahead of the election, Bangladesh Bank has instructed each MFS provider to form a special ‘Quick Response Cell’ to receive complaints and take immediate action. Authorities will also maintain round-the-clock close monitoring of all transactions during the stipulated period. In cases of suspicious or abnormal transactions, instructions have been given to promptly report the matter to the respective police stations.
DBTech/AH/MI/OR
