Motorcycle Movement Banned for Three Days Ahead of National Election

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a 72-hour ban on motorcycle movement across the country in connection with the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The restriction will remain in force until February 13.

According to an EC directive sent to the Road Transport Secretary, motorcycle movement will be prohibited from midnight on February 10 to midnight on February 13.

In addition, the movement of taxi cabs, pickup vans and microbuses will be suspended from midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12—the official polling day scheduled for February 12.

The directive was issued by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process during the parliamentary election and the referendum.

As a result of the order, movement of the restricted vehicles for the general public came into effect from Tuesday midnight, February 10.

However, several exemptions have been outlined in the EC directive. Vehicles belonging to law enforcement agencies, armed forces, administration and authorised observers will remain outside the scope of the ban. Vehicles engaged in emergency services, including healthcare, medicine supply, medical equipment transport and newspaper distribution, will also be exempted.

The EC has also allowed vehicles used for airport or ferry terminal travel—such as picking up or dropping off relatives from the airport or Mawa ferry terminal—provided passengers can show valid tickets or supporting documents. Long-distance passenger vehicles and vehicles used locally by long-distance passengers will also be allowed to operate.

Each contesting candidate will be permitted to use one vehicle, while one vehicle will be allowed for each polling agent of a candidate, subject to possession of valid appointment letters or identity cards and approval from the returning officer.

Journalists, election observers and vehicles used for urgent purposes—including motorcycles—may operate with prior approval from the Election Commission or the concerned returning officer.

The ban on motorcycle movement will not apply to officials and staff engaged in election duties if approved by the EC. Vehicles operated by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and BTRC-licensed telecom operators will also be exempted, as telecommunication services have been classified as emergency services.

Furthermore, the restriction will be relaxed on national highways, ports and major connecting roads used for inter-district or inter-city travel.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission said water transport services will also remain suspended on polling day under the same conditions.

DBTech/BN/SM/OR