EC bans boat movement on polling day

Ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum to be held on February 12, the Election Commission (EC) has imposed a 24-hour ban on boat movement. However, this ban will be relaxed for emergency services and in some specific cases. This information was given in a letter signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the Election Management-2 Branch of the EC Secretariat on Tuesday (January 27).
The letter states that the ban on the movement of launches and engine-powered boats (except boats plying on specific routes) will be effective from February 11, the day before the scheduled polling day, i.e. from 12:00 am on February 11 to 12:00 am on February 12. However, this ban will be relaxed for the contesting candidates and their election agents and domestic and foreign observers holding identity cards, subject to the permission of the Returning Officer.
At the same time, this ban will not apply to the movement of boats for collecting election news by domestic and foreign journalists, officials and employees engaged in election work, members of law enforcement agencies and emergency service providers such as ambulances, fire services, electricity, gas, postal and telecommunications.
In addition, the concerned authorities may take necessary measures to relax the ban for other special needs, including the supply of emergency goods at ports and main waterways. The directive also states that this ban will not be applicable to boats used as the sole means of transport of voters and public and long-distance boats.
Considering the local needs and realities on the occasion of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum, the power to impose or relax the ban in necessary cases has been given to the concerned District Magistrate or Metropolitan Police Commissioner.