EC assures journalists, observers of mobile phone access at polling stations
EC's decision to ban mobile phone use at polling stations has triggered a widespread criticism.
The Election Commission has assured journalists and election observers that they will be exempt from the ban on using mobile phones at polling stations during the 13th national elections and the referendum.
Speaking to reporters today (9 February), Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said, "Journalists and observers will face no restrictions if they enter polling centres with mobile phones.
The assurance came following a meeting between EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and leaders of the Reporters Forum for Elections and Democracy (RFED) at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon today.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
RFED President Kazi Jebel said the forum had strongly protested the decision to restrict journalists from carrying mobile phones at polling centres, warning that such a move would undermine electoral transparency and thwart press freedom.
EC ban on mobile phones at polling centres draws sharp criticism
"Mobile phones are an essential tool for journalists to perform their professional duties. Restricting their use would obstruct accurate and timely reporting of the electoral process," he added.
He further said the commission acknowledged the concerns raised by RFED and assured that journalists would be granted an exemption from the restriction. "The commission will issue a formal notification to this effect shortly."
Earlier yesterday, the commission issued a directive banning the carrying and use of mobile phones within a 400-yard radius of polling centres on election day.
According to the directive, no individual would be allowed to enter or remain within 400 yards of a polling centre with a mobile phone. The restriction was to apply to voters, polling agents, and others on election duty, with limited exceptions.
Only the presiding officer, the officer-in-charge of the police assigned to the centre, and two authorised Ansar members using the "Election Security 2026" mobile application were permitted to carry phones within the restricted area.
The directive was sent to 69 returning officers, including divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram, district administrators of all 64 districts, and regional election officers of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna.
The restriction had triggered concern among journalists, as it effectively barred candidates and media personnel from carrying mobile phones within the 400-yard zone on polling day.
