As Bangladesh approaches its upcoming elections, unusual scenes have emerged across the capital and other major cities. On Tuesday morning, Tajul Islam, a garment worker from Mirpur, set out for his family home in Tangail. Upon arriving at Mohakhali Bus Terminal, he had to wait over one and a half hours to secure a seat. “Since the factory is closed, I am going home with my family. I haven’t been able to vote for many years, but this time I want to cast my vote,” he said.
In accordance with government directives, all industrial factories across the country were closed on Tuesday. With general holidays scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, combined with the weekend break on Friday and Saturday, industrial hubs including Dhaka are witnessing a surge in travel as residents prepare for an extended leave. This has resulted in heavy congestion at bus, train, and river transport terminals.
Shopping centres and local markets have also experienced increased crowds as residents rush to stock up before closures. Shirin Sultana, a resident of Panthapath in Dhaka, remarked, “Shopkeepers have gone back to their villages, and many transport services are suspended. I’ve done some extra shopping to prepare.”
The government has issued guidelines specifying which services will be closed or restricted during the election period:
| Service | Restriction / Closure Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Banking | 8–12 February (until midnight) | Transactions exceeding BDT 10,000 suspended. All cash-in and cash-out services via bKash, Nagad, Rocket, etc., are halted. |
| Shops & Malls | 12–13 February (Thursday–Friday) | Local convenience stores and vegetable markets remain open. |
| Transport | Motorcycles: 10 Feb midnight–13 Feb midnight; Pickups, microbuses, trucks, launches: 11–12 Feb | Only emergency and airport transport operational; all other vehicles suspended. |
| Tourist Centres | 10 Feb 07:30–13 Feb 16:30 (election zones) | Pre-booked packages suspended; services resume from 14 Feb. |
In addition, banks have capped daily cash withdrawals for customers at BDT 100,000 to prevent illegal transactions and ensure financial security during the election period.
Emergency services, however, will remain operational. Hospitals, electricity, water, gas, fuel, fire services, postal operations, and sanitation will continue to function. Police and law enforcement agencies are tasked with maintaining public safety and order.
To ensure a peaceful and well-regulated voting environment, only overseas travellers, journalists, election observers, and essential service personnel are allowed in election zones. Traders have also warned that transport and market supplies may temporarily decrease due to the restrictions.