Bangladesh Halts Visa-on-Arrival Ahead of National Elections

• The Yunus government has suspended visa-on-arrival services from January 15 to February 15, a month before Bangladesh's national elections and a referendum.
• The temporary suspension affects citizens of all eligible countries, including neighboring nations like Bhutan and Nepal.
• While no official reason was given, the move is widely perceived as a security measure to prevent unrest during the election period and campaigning.
• Bangladesh has also halted visa services at its major missions in India, with resumption unlikely before the elections conclude.
• Internal security measures have been intensified, with military deployment, security checkpoints, and magisterial powers granted to the army.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh suspends visa-on-arrival and intensifies security ahead of its national elections and referendum.