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Boats | Elections No boat services on election day
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 25 December 2023: The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a 24-hour ban on the movement of all boats in the country on the day of polling for the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections. According to the EC order, this ban will remain in force from 12 midnight on January 6 to 12 midnight on January 7. In a letter from the EC on Sunday, the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping was informed to take action in this regard.
According to the EC, a decision has been taken to impose a ban on the movement of launches, speedboats and any type of engine-driven watercraft before and after the day of polling in the parliamentary elections from midnight of the day before the election on January 7, i.e. from 12:00 on January 6 to 12:00 on January 7. .
The EC further informed that the said restriction is relaxable in case of contesting candidates/their election agents, domestic/foreign observers (must have identity card) subject to the permission of the Returning Officer. Also, domestic/foreign journalists engaged in election news gathering (must have identity card), election officials, law enforcement officers, valid election inspectors and some emergency services such as ambulance, fire service, electricity, gas, postal, The said prohibition shall not apply in the case of the said vessels for use in telecommunication etc. activities.
The directives are requested to empower the concerned District Magistrate or Metropolitan Police Commissioner/other authorities as the case may be to impose restrictions on further boating or relax the restrictions in view of the local requirements and realities along with the imposition of said restrictions.
