Microphones, loudspeakers banned in quiet zones

The government has issued a new regulation to control increasing noise pollution, replacing the outdated 2006 rules.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change published the gazette on Tuesday (November 25), stipulating daytime noise limits from 6:00am to 9:00pm and nighttime limits from 9:00pm to 6:00am.

The updated guidelines set area-specific noise limits, horn usage restrictions, accountability for industrial and commercial establishments, and stricter penalties.

Under the new rules, religious sites, national events, defense and law enforcement activities, air travel, and railways are exempt. During elections, no candidate is allowed to use microphones, loudspeakers, or other sound-amplifying devices in silent zones. In other areas, candidates must follow the Election Commission’s code of conduct, ensuring approved noise limits are not exceeded.

Violations can lead to up to six months’ imprisonment, fines of up to 150,000 taka, and, if necessary, disqualification from contesting elections.

Election campaigning must also follow specific rules. Loudspeakers and microphones are prohibited in silent zones, and in other areas, no more than three devices per candidate are allowed. Campaigning is limited to 2:00pm to 8:00pm, noise must not exceed 60 decibels, campaigns cannot start earlier than three weeks before voting, and all promotion must stop 48 hours before the election.