You can now bring your mobile phones to polling centres, but taking snaps not allowed
None will be permitted to take photos with mobile phone inside the secret voting booths, according to the EC
In the face of daylong widespread criticism over carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of the polling centre and inside the centre on the polling day, the Election Commission today (9 February) retreated from its decision, allowing voters, journalists, observers, and others to use such devices.
Last night (8 February), the commission issued a directive banning the carrying and use of mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centres on the election day. The restriction was also slapped on voters, polling agents, and others during the election duty, with limited exceptions.
The presiding officer, officer-in-charge of the police assigned to the centre, and two authorised Ansar members were only allowed to carry phones within the restricted area.
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The directive was sent to 69 returning officers, including divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram, deputy commissioners of 64 districts, and regional election officers of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna.
Soon after the directive was issued, political parties, including NCP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and individuals came down heavily on the EC, urging the authority to cancel it.
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman warned of launching a tougher movement if the ban was not withdrawn by this evening.
In a Facebook post on the NCP's page, Convener Nahid Islam threatened that they would besiege the EC building today if the restriction was not cancelled within today.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also criticised the EC's decision, calling it unreasonable, disproportionate, and contradictory.
Regarding the mobile phone use by journalists and observers, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said, "Journalists and observers will face no restrictions if they enter polling centres with mobile phones."
The development came after 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.
RFED President Kazi Jebel said the forum had strongly protested the decision to restrict journalists from carrying mobile phones at polling centres.
"Mobile phones are an essential tool for journalists to perform their professional duties. Restricting the use would obstruct accurate and timely reporting of the electoral process," he said.
He also 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."
EC official Akhtar said voters will also be allowed to enter polling centres with mobile phones, and candidates and their agents may also carry phones and take photographs inside the centre if necessary.
However, no one will be allowed to take photos with mobile phones inside the secret voting booths, he said.
