In a precautionary move ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections and referendum, the Government of Bangladesh has announced that all land port immigration checkpoints across the country will remain closed for a full 24 hours.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, 10 February, came via an official letter signed by Arifur Rahman, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the notice, the temporary suspension of immigration services will commence at 6:00 am on Thursday, 12 February, and will continue until 6:00 am on Friday, 13 February. During this period, all inbound and outbound movement through the country’s land ports will be halted.
The government has urged all relevant offices and authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure that the closure is enforced smoothly and without disruption. This includes mobilising personnel to maintain order at checkpoints and managing traffic flow to prevent congestion at border areas.
Officials have emphasised that the decision has been taken solely to ensure election-time security and public order. Limiting cross-border movement temporarily is intended to prevent any potential disturbances that could affect the smooth conduct of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum.
For travellers, transporters, and traders, this 24-hour closure will affect passenger and commercial traffic through the country’s primary land entry points. The government has assured that all operations will resume normally once the designated period concludes.
To provide an overview, the table below lists key land ports and their temporary closure schedule:
| Land Port / Checkpoint | Closure Start | Closure End | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benapole | 12 Feb, 6:00 am | 13 Feb, 6:00 am | Passenger and freight movement suspended |
| Hili | 12 Feb, 6:00 am | 13 Feb, 6:00 am | Full immigration services halted |
| Tamabil | 12 Feb, 6:00 am | 13 Feb, 6:00 am | Authorities on duty to manage local traffic |
| Akhaura | 12 Feb, 6:00 am | 13 Feb, 6:00 am | All border operations temporarily suspended |
| Burimari | 12 Feb, 6:00 am | 13 Feb, 6:00 am | Staff to maintain order and security |
Authorities have stressed that the temporary suspension is a preventive security measure and not a disruption to essential services. Citizens and traders have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly, and to complete any necessary border formalities before the closure period begins.
Such measures are not uncommon during national elections, with the government taking similar steps in past electoral cycles to ensure free, fair, and secure voting processes. By temporarily controlling border crossings, officials aim to maintain law and order, prevent irregular movements, and provide a stable environment for voters.