In anticipation of the Twelfth National Parliamentary Election scheduled for 12 February, the Election Commission has issued stringent directives governing the movement of candidates and their polling agents. These measures are designed to maintain law and order within and around polling stations, ensure disciplined electoral conduct, and guarantee equal opportunities for all candidates.
Past electoral experiences have demonstrated that large gatherings and an excess of vehicles around polling centres frequently lead to congestion and disruption. Drawing lessons from these occurrences, the Commission has now implemented preventive, detailed regulations to mitigate such challenges.
Under the new instructions, each candidate and their designated polling agents are permitted to use only one small vehicle. Acceptable vehicles include jeeps, private cars, mini buses, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, and standard auto-rickshaws. Each vehicle may carry a maximum of five passengers, including the driver. Any official security personnel or appointed bodyguards accompanying the candidate must be included in this limit; no additional seats or passengers are allowed. Drivers must possess a valid driving licence; vehicles operated without one will be deemed unauthorised on election day.
Special provisions have been made for remote and difficult-to-access areas. Where four-wheeled vehicles are unable to operate, candidates and their polling agents may use up to two motorcycles, with a maximum of two passengers per motorcycle, including the driver. Valid licences remain mandatory. This regulation ensures accessibility for candidates in hilly or infrastructurally challenging regions.
For riverine or waterway-dependent areas, each candidate or polling agent may employ a single boat, capable of carrying up to five passengers, including the boatman. Additional passengers are strictly prohibited.
The directives further state that anyone other than the candidate, polling agent, or approved security personnel must obtain prior permission from the relevant Returning Officer to operate a vehicle on election day, and must present official identification. All authorised vehicles must display a visible sticker issued by the Commission. Vehicles without such authorisation or stickers will be treated as violations, subject to legal enforcement.
Access to polling stations is similarly restricted: only candidates, polling agents, and security personnel may enter. Any breach of this rule will invite strict legal action.
Election Day Approved Vehicles Summary
| Travel Medium | Approved Vehicle(s) | Number Allowed | Passenger Limit (Including Driver) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road | Jeep, Car, Mini Bus, CNG/Auto-Rickshaw | 1 per candidate/agent | 5 |
| Remote Areas | Motorcycle | Maximum 2 | 2 per motorcycle |
| Waterways | Boat | 1 per candidate/agent | 5 |
Election Commission officials have expressed confidence that these strict vehicle regulations will foster a peaceful, fair, and orderly election environment, reducing opportunities for misconduct or undue influence, and enabling voters to exercise their franchise safely and without interference.