Additional metro trains will run on election day

To ensure smooth exercise of voting rights by voters, additional trains will be run on election day, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the metro rail operator, has announced.

The government has declared a general holiday on February 11 and 12 for the election. DMTCL has said that there will be no disruption in the movement of passengers in the capital even though it will be a four-day holiday including weekly holidays.

DMTCL Managing Director Faruk Ahmed confirmed the matter.

Responsible officials of DMTCL said that the metro trains will run on the holidays declared for the election as usual. However, for security reasons, the gates of the stations whose entry and exit gates are located right next to the polling stations will be temporarily closed. The other gates will remain open.

Meanwhile, the leaves of DMTCL and related department officials and employees have been canceled to ensure normal metro train operations during the election period.

An office order signed by DMTCL Director (Administration) AKM Khairul Alam said that from February 8, all types of leave (except for special or emergency cases) of all officers and employees engaged in train operations, line operations, maintenance, essential security activities and related establishments will be canceled until further orders.

On the other hand, the government has imposed restrictions on vehicle movement across the country on the occasion of the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. A notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges said that on February 12, the day of the election, plying of taxi cabs, pickups, microbuses and trucks will be banned. This ban will be effective from midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12.

In addition, stricter restrictions have been imposed on motorcycle movement. Motorcycle movement will be banned across the country for a total of 72 hours from midnight on February 10 to midnight on February 13. However, relaxations have been made in some cases for urgent needs and election-related work.

It is worth noting that the campaigning of candidates for the 13th National Parliament election will end on February 10. Voting will be held on February 12 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.