KHULNA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The authorities have imposed restrictions on the movement of certain vehicles in Khulna to ensure the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum is held in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful manner.

District Administrator and Returning Officer of Parliamentary Constituencies 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, A S M Jamshed Khondaker, disclosed the information in the signed public notice.

According to a public notice, the movement of taxi cabs, pickup vans, microbuses and trucks will remain suspended within Khulna district from midnight of February 11 to midnight of February 12.

The notice also said that motorcycle movement will be restricted from midnight of February 10 to midnight of February 13, 2026.

However, the restrictions will not apply to vehicles of law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, administration and authorised observers, as well as vehicles engaged in emergency services. 

Vehicles carrying medicines, healthcare-related goods and other essential items, along with all types of newspaper-carrying vehicles, will also be exempted.

Vehicles used for travelling to and from airports for relatives, including returning home or travelling to relatives' residences upon showing valid tickets or similar proof, will be allowed. 

Vehicles carrying long-distance passengers or used for local movement as part of long-distance travel will also remain outside the purview of the restrictions.

Each contesting candidate will be permitted to use one vehicle, while one vehicle will also be allowed for each agent of a candidate, subject to prior approval from the Returning Officer and the display of election stickers, along with valid appointment letters or identity cards.

Journalists, observers and vehicles or motorcycles used for emergency purposes will be allowed with approval from the Election Commission or the Returning Officer. 

Motorcycles may also be permitted for election officials, employees and others engaged in election duties with due approval from the Election Commission, the Returning Officer or the Assistant Returning Officer.

Considering telecommunication services as essential, vehicles of organisations licensed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will be exempted from the restrictions.

The notice added that restrictions may be relaxed as necessary on national highways, ports, inter-district routes, major roads entering or exiting metropolitan areas, and connecting roads of highways and other important roads.

It said that any violation of the restrictions would be treated as a punishable offence.