Digital financial services in Bangladesh returned to their regular operating limits at midnight on Thursday, following the conclusion of a four-day restriction period aimed at preventing the misuse of funds during the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The Bangladesh Bank lifted the temporary caps on Mobile Financial Services (MFS) and Internet Banking, allowing users of popular platforms like bKash, Nagad, and Rocket to resume peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions without the emergency constraints.
End of the 96-Hour Restriction
The central bank had originally implemented the restrictions from 12:00 AM on Sunday, February 8, through 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 12. During this 96-hour window, the following limits were in place to curb potential voter bribery and illegal financial influence:
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MFS Transactions: Capped at a maximum of 1,000 BDT per transaction.
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Daily Frequency: Users were limited to a maximum of 10 transactions per day.
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Internet Banking: P2P transfers via the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) were completely suspended.
While merchant payments and utility bill settlements remained unaffected throughout the week, the general public faced significant challenges in making urgent personal transfers.
Restoration of Service
As of today, Friday, February 13, all digital banking channels are operating under their standard regulatory limits.
| Service Type | Election Period Limit | Post-Election Status |
| MFS P2P Transfer | Max 1,000 BDT per go | Standard Limits Restored |
| Daily MFS Count | Max 10 transactions | Standard Limits Restored |
| Internet Banking (IBFT) | Fully Suspended | Fully Operational |
| Merchant/Bill Pay | Unchanged | Operational |
A spokesperson from the central bank confirmed that the measures were a preventive strategy requested by the Election Commission to ensure a fair polling environment. With the final results of the election now largely announced, the “Quick Response Cells” established to monitor suspicious activity have scaled back their operations.
“The restrictions were strictly temporary and designed to protect the integrity of the democratic process,” a Bangladesh Bank official stated. “We recognize the inconvenience caused to citizens and thank them for their patience during this critical period.”
