Online Desk:
The Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on vehicle movement across the country on the day of, before and after the 13th parliamentary elections and referendum to be held on February 12.
According to the EC’s instructions, motorcycles will be banned from midnight today (February 10) to midnight on February 13. In addition, the ban on other transport will also be in effect from midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12.
In this regard, Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, said that these restrictions have been imposed to ensure that the elections are conducted in a fair, free and peaceful manner.
The recently issued EC circular states that the ban on the movement of taxicabs, pickups, microbuses and trucks will be in force from midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12.
However, this ban will not apply in all cases. Vehicles of law enforcement, armed forces, administration and permitted observers will be exempted from this ban. At the same time, vehicles engaged in emergency services, vehicles transporting medicines, health and medical supplies and all types of vehicles carrying newspapers will be allowed to ply.
Vehicles going to or coming from the airport have been allowed to ply for the convenience of passengers going abroad or relatives returning from abroad. However, in that case, passengers will have to show tickets or relevant identification documents. In addition, this ban will be relaxed for vehicles carrying long-distance passengers and for long-distance passengers traveling locally.
Contesting candidates and their election agents will be allowed to use one small vehicle (jeep, car or microbus) each, subject to the approval of the Returning Officer and display of stickers.
The Election Commission further said that vehicles and motorcycles used by journalists, observers or for emergency purposes will be allowed to ply subject to the approval of the EC or Returning Officer. The same rule will also apply to the movement of motorcycles by officials and employees engaged in election work.
In addition, considering telecommunication services as an emergency service, the ban on the movement of vehicles of BTRC and licensed telecommunication companies will also be relaxed.
The District Magistrate or Metropolitan Police Commissioner can take necessary measures to relax the ban on national highways, ports and important connecting roads entering and exiting inter-districts or metropolises.
The EC directive also states that in the light of local needs and realities, the concerned District Magistrate or Metropolitan Police Commissioner, in some cases, will have the power to impose or relax the ban on some additional vehicles if they wish.
