In preparation for the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum, the Election Commission (EC) has announced that five types of vehicles will be prohibited from operating across the country from midnight on Wednesday until the conclusion of voting on Thursday.
The banned vehicles include motorcycles, taxis, pickups, microbuses, and trucks, according to official statements from the EC. This temporary restriction aims to ensure smooth electoral operations and enhanced public safety during the polling period.
Voters, however, will be allowed to travel in private cars to reach polling stations, and metro rail services are scheduled to operate as usual. The EC emphasised that these measures are designed to facilitate orderly voting rather than disrupt normal mobility.
Additionally, the EC outlined that the motorcycle ban will extend from midnight on Tuesday until midnight on Friday, although motorcycles bearing an EC-issued sticker will be exempt from the restriction.
Exceptions have been made for essential and authorised vehicles, including:
Law enforcement agencies and armed forces
Government administration vehicles
Approved election observers
Emergency services vehicles (such as those transporting medicines, medical equipment, and newspapers)
Vehicles transporting family members to and from airports will also be permitted, provided that passengers can produce tickets or other supporting evidence. Furthermore, long-distance passenger vehicles may operate both for intercity transport and local travel of registered passengers. The EC has not issued any specific directives regarding general public transportation, meaning buses, trains, and other public services are expected to run normally.
The following table summarises the restrictions and exceptions:
| Vehicle Type | Restriction Period | Exceptions / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Tue 12:00 AM – Fri 12:00 AM | EC-stickered motorcycles allowed |
| Taxi (including cab services) | Wed 12:00 AM – Thu 12:00 AM | Law enforcement, emergency services exempt |
| Pickup | Wed 12:00 AM – Thu 12:00 AM | Authorised personnel and essential services exempt |
| Microbus | Wed 12:00 AM – Thu 12:00 AM | Long-distance passenger services exempt |
| Truck | Wed 12:00 AM – Thu 12:00 AM | Emergency and essential goods transport exempt |
The EC urges citizens to plan their travel accordingly and cooperate with authorities to ensure the election proceeds smoothly and safely. Officials also encouraged voters to reach polling stations early to avoid last-minute congestion and to use private vehicles where public transport may be affected by restrictions.