In a decisive move to curb the illicit flow of funds and prevent the “misuse of money” during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Central Bank of Bangladesh has announced unprecedented restrictions on digital financial services. Starting from midnight tonight, Mobile Financial Services (MFS) and internet banking platforms will operate under a significantly curtailed framework, effectively placing the nation’s digital economy on high alert.
A 96-Hour Digital Clampdown
The directive, issued by Bangladesh Bank on Sunday, stipulates that the limitations will remain in force until 11:59 pm on 12 February 2026, the day of the election. This 96-hour window is designed to stifle the potential for voter bribery and the financing of political unrest.
Under these new regulations, popular MFS providers such as bKash, Rocket, and Nagad will see their “Person-to-Person” (P2P) transaction capabilities slashed. Users will be permitted to send a maximum of 1,000 Taka per transaction, with a total daily ceiling of 10,000 Taka. Furthermore, the Interbank Fund Transfer (IBFT) services, commonly accessed via mobile banking apps and internet portals, will be entirely suspended for individual transfers.
Summary of Restricted Services (Feb 9 – Feb 12)
| Service Type | New Transaction Limit | Daily Frequency/Limit | Status |
| MFS (bKash, Nagad, etc.) | Max 1,000 Taka | Max 10 Transactions | Restricted |
| MFS (Daily Aggregate) | N/A | Max 10,000 Taka | Restricted |
| Internet Banking (IBFT) | Zero | N/A | Suspended |
| Merchant Payments | Standard Limits | Unchanged | Active |
| Utility Bill Payments | Standard Limits | Unchanged | Active |
Surveillance and Enforcement
The central bank’s notification clarifies that while individual transfers are restricted, essential services such as utility bill payments and merchant transactions for goods will continue as normal to avoid paralyzing daily commerce.
To ensure compliance, every MFS provider has been ordered to establish an Emergency Response Cell. These units are tasked with “close monitoring” of all digital traffic. Any “suspicious or abnormal” activity must be reported immediately to the nearest police station. The authorities have emphasised that financial institutions must cooperate fully with the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
Impact on the Public
While the move is aimed at political transparency, it is expected to cause significant inconvenience for the general public, particularly those in rural areas who rely heavily on mobile wallets for daily expenses. Financial analysts suggest that the suspension of internet banking transfers may also impact small-scale digital entrepreneurs. However, the government maintains that these temporary measures are a necessary sacrifice to ensure a fair and influence-free election.