Bangladesh Bank has barred all bank officers and employees from traveling abroad except for essential reasons, issuing an immediate restriction ahead of the upcoming 13th national election.

The directive was released on Wednesday, November 26, in an official circular and applies to everyone working in the country’s 61 scheduled banks, from managing directors and chief executive officers to junior staff. The order was issued under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.

According to the circular, foreign travel will be approved only for medical treatment, pilgrimage, or urgent official needs. Bangladesh Bank noted that travel rules for bank officials have been tightened or relaxed at different times in the past, but said the new restriction was introduced specifically in view of the election.