In preparation for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the accompanying referendum, the Road Transport and Highways Division has imposed strict restrictions on vehicle movement across the country. As part of these measures, all motorcycle traffic will be prohibited nationwide for a period of 72 hours, starting from midnight on 10 February.
The directive was issued in a recent notification signed by Al-Amin Md. Nurul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Implementation Branch of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) under the Road Transport and Highways Division. The notification specifies that the ban on motorcycles will be in effect from 12:00 a.m. on 10 February until 12:00 a.m. on 13 February.
In addition to motorcycles, certain other vehicles will face shorter restrictions. From midnight on 11 February to midnight on 12 February, taxis, pick-ups, microbuses, and trucks will also be prohibited from operating.
Exemptions to the Vehicle Restrictions
While the ban is comprehensive, specific exemptions have been outlined to ensure the continuity of essential services and official duties. Exempted vehicles include:
Law enforcement, armed forces, administrative officials, and approved election observers.
Vehicles engaged in emergency services, including medical and health-related transport.
Vehicles transporting newspapers or essential goods.
Vehicles carrying relatives to or from airports, with valid tickets or proof of travel.
Long-distance passenger vehicles or those carrying local passengers over specified routes.
Furthermore, each candidate and their election agents may operate a single small vehicle with the necessary authorisation and a visible election sticker, subject to approval by the Returning Officer. Motorcycles and other vehicles may also be used for election-related purposes, journalism, or emergency services with the prior consent of the Election Commission or the Returning Officer.
Telecommunication service vehicles licensed by the BTRC are also exempt, as are vehicles on national highways, ports, and major intercity or metropolitan routes where access is deemed critical.
District Magistrates and Metropolitan Police Commissioners have been granted authority to implement or relax the restrictions for other vehicles as necessary, in accordance with local requirements and the election timetable.
Summary of Vehicle Restrictions
| Vehicle Type | Restriction Period | Exemptions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles | 10 Feb 00:00 – 13 Feb 00:00 | Election duties, journalists, emergency services, telecom vehicles, etc. |
| Taxis, Pick-ups, Microbuses, Trucks | 11 Feb 00:00 – 12 Feb 00:00 | Emergency services, airport transfers, long-distance passenger transport |
Authorities have urged citizens to comply fully with these measures to ensure smooth conduct of the elections and referendum. Non-compliance may result in penalties under existing traffic and election regulations.