Bangladesh bans motorcycles nationwide three days before election, referendum

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a three-day ban on motorcycle movement across the country ahead of the parliamentary election and referendum.

In a letter sent to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges on Tuesday, the commission instructed the authorities to take necessary measures to enforce the restrictions.

The parliamentary election and referendum are scheduled for Feb 12.

According to the directive, the movement of taxi cabs, pickup vans, microbuses and trucks will remain suspended from 12am on Feb 12 to 12am on Feb 13.

Motorcycle movement will be banned for longer, from 12am on Feb 11 to 12am on Feb 14.

EXEMPTIONS TO THE RESTRICTIONS

The restrictions will not apply to the following categories:

● Vehicles used by law-enforcing agencies, armed forces, the administration and authorised election observers.

● Vehicles engaged in emergency services, including the transportation of medicines, healthcare services, similar essential goods and newspapers.

● Vehicles used to travel to or from airports for receiving or seeing off relatives, subject to producing tickets or similar proof, as well as vehicles used for long-distance travel or for local movement by long-distance travellers.

● One vehicle for each contesting candidates and each duly appointed election agent, subject to approval from the returning officer and display of an official sticker.

● Vehicles or motorcycles used by journalists, observers or for emergency purposes, with permission from the EC or returning officer.

● Motorcycles used by officers or other individuals engaged in election duties, subject to EC approval.

● Vehicles operated by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and BTRC-licensed entities, as telecommunications services are considered emergency services.

The EC said restrictions may be relaxed or increased on national highways, ports, inter-district or metropolitan entry and exit points, and other key roads, highways and connecting roads, if necessary.

WATER TRANSPORT BARRED

The EC has also imposed a 24-hour restriction on water transport.

A letter has already been sent to the secretary of the Ministry of Shipping in this regard.

The letter said the movement of ferries, engine boats (except those operating on fixed routes) and similar vessels will remain suspended from 12am on Feb 12 to 12am on Feb 13.

The restrictions may be relaxed, with permission from the returning officer, for contesting candidates, their election agents, and domestic or foreign observers carrying valid identification.

The ban will not apply to domestic and foreign journalists engaged in election coverage, election officials and employees, members of law-enforcing agencies, and vessels used for emergency services such as ambulances, fire service, electricity, gas, postal and telecommunication operations.

Authorities may take necessary steps to relax restrictions on major waterways for port operations, emergency goods supply and other urgent needs.

The restrictions will also not apply in cases where water transport is the only means of movement for voters and the public, or for long-distance water transport services.