World News
Bangladesh suspends visa on arrival ahead of elections
Bangladesh has suspended its Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility from January 15 to February 15 in view of the upcoming general elections and a national referendum.
Bangladesh has suspended its Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility from January 15 to February 15 in view of the upcoming general elections and a national referendum.
The temporary suspension applies to all countries that are normally eligible for visa on arrival, including neighbouring nations such as Bhutan and Nepal. The decision has been formally communicated to the respective governments.
A senior Bangladeshi government official confirmed that the VoA facility would remain suspended for one month, though no official reason was cited. However, the move is widely seen as a security measure ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections and referendum.
With the election campaign set to begin on January 22, major political leaders are expected to travel extensively across the country for rallies. Officials believe the suspension is aimed at strengthening border security and preventing any potential unrest during the politically sensitive period. Similar restrictions have reportedly been imposed during past elections.
In addition, Bangladesh has halted visa issuance from its key diplomatic missions in India, with officials indicating that services are unlikely to resume until after the elections.
Security measures have been significantly tightened nationwide ahead of the polls. The military has been deployed across the country, with army personnel setting up checkpoints at strategic locations. The interim government has also granted magisterial powers to the armed forces, while police units have been directed to maintain heightened vigilance.
The elections and referendum are scheduled to take place on February 12.
