In anticipation of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Bangladesh Bank, the nation’s central bank, has issued comprehensive directives to all banks to ensure the smooth functioning of financial services during the election period. Banks have been instructed to maintain sufficient cash at all ATM booths throughout the four-day government holiday to meet public demand. Furthermore, any suspicious financial transactions during the election and the extended holiday are to be reported immediately to the nearest police station.
According to central bank sources on Tuesday, 10 February, essential utility services such as electricity, water, and gas bill payments will continue normally despite the election-related public holiday. However, instant interbank fund transfers, including Interbank Fund Transfers (IBFT), will be temporarily suspended during this period.
Bangladesh Bank has also introduced temporary restrictions on Mobile Financial Services (MFS) and Internet Banking to prevent potential misuse of funds during the election. Specifically, limitations have been placed on peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions from personal accounts.
The Payment Systems Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank issued these directives on Sunday, 8 February. The instructions stipulate that, as part of election preparations, personal account transactions via mobile banking will be limited from 12:00 a.m. on Monday, 9 February, until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, 12 February—a total duration of 96 hours.
A summary of the restrictions and measures is presented below:
| Service | Applicable Period | Restriction | Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Banking (MFS) | 9 Feb 00:00 – 12 Feb 23:59 | Personal-to-personal transactions limited | Prevent misuse of funds |
| Internet Banking | Same period | P2P transactions limited | Financial security during elections |
| ATM Booths | Four-day election period | Sufficient cash mandatory | Ensure cash availability |
| Utility Bill Payments | Four-day holiday | Normal operations | Avoid public inconvenience |
| Interbank Instant Transfer | During holiday | Temporarily suspended | Maintain financial control and security |
Officials at Bangladesh Bank emphasised that these measures are designed to prevent disruption for urgent transactions while safeguarding the integrity of financial operations during the election. Banks have been explicitly instructed to ensure all ATMs remain well-stocked with cash throughout the four-day public holiday.
The central bank anticipates that these proactive measures will enhance transparency in election-period financial transactions and secure the financial interests of the general public.