Ahead of the February 12 referendum and national parliamentary election, the Election Commission (EC) has imposed an 82-hour restriction barring individuals from staying outside their own electoral areas, a move aimed at ensuring a free, fair, and influence-free vote.
The restriction will remain in effect from 7:00am on February 10 to 4:30pm on February 13.
The decision, however, has triggered confusion and concern among voters in Dhaka and other major cities, where a large number of voters currently reside in areas different from those of their registered polling centers. Due to employment, education, or changes in residence, many voters live far from their electoral constituencies, raising questions about how they will travel to their designated polling centers during the restriction period.
According to the EC directive, no one other than individuals involved in election activities, persons authorized by the commission, and residents or voters of the concerned area will be allowed to stay in an area from 48 hours before the start of voting until 24 hours after voting ends. In effect, movement by outsiders will be restricted for a total of 82 hours.
Under Bangladesh’s existing electoral system, voters are required to cast ballots only at their designated polling centers. There is no provision for voting at alternative centers, while online or postal voting remains limited to specific categories of voters. As a result, voters must be physically present at their assigned centers to vote.
A senior EC official told Dhaka Tribune that under current law, voters must vote only at their designated polling centers. He said voter transfer and online voting options are under discussion as part of future electoral reforms, but have not yet been implemented.
The official added that arrangements are made in coordination with law enforcement agencies to ensure uninterrupted movement for people ahead of voting.
Addressing voter movement on election day, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said that although restrictions will be imposed on general movement for security reasons, voters will not face obstacles in reaching polling centers.
He said that on election day, private and motorized vehicles will be suspended, but rickshaws will be allowed to operate, enabling voters to travel to polling centers by rickshaw.
Responding to questions about how voters will travel long distances during the 82-hour movement restriction before and after voting, Masud said that voters will be permitted to travel as it is their right. He added that unnecessary roaming will not be allowed, but law enforcement agencies will cooperate if voters show their names on the voter list along with their national identity cards.
Meanwhile, comparatively relaxed movement restrictions have been imposed for candidates. Masud said candidates will be allowed to use vehicles carrying a maximum of five people, including the driver.
Despite these assurances, critics argue that the security-driven restrictions could create additional hardship for ordinary voters. In cities such as Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major urban centers, millions of voters may be forced to travel to their home constituencies in advance and remain there in order to vote, a challenge particularly for working individuals.
The concern remains whether the restrictions imposed to ensure security could ultimately lead to lower voter turnout.