Dhaka, February 9: In a significant development for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, journalists and election observers will now be permitted to carry mobile phones inside polling stations. This announcement was made by Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retired) Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanuallah on Monday.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, Sanuallah addressed reporters after inspecting the results booth at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. His statement comes amid concerns raised by media organizations regarding access and restrictions during the voting process.
Sanuallah emphasized that allowing journalists and observers to bring mobile phones will facilitate real-time reporting and monitoring of the election process, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability.
Notably, the 13th national parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 12, with the Election Commission stressing the importance of conducting them in a transparent and fair manner.
Previously, the Election Commission had imposed a ban on carrying and using mobile phones within a 400-yard radius of polling stations on election day. Under that directive, only three categories of individuals were allowed to have mobile phones inside polling stations: the presiding officer, police officers assigned to security, and two Ansar personnel operating the ‘Election Security 2026’ app.
To ensure strict compliance with this decision, the Election Commission issued letters to 69 returning officers, including divisional commissioners in Dhaka and Chattogram, deputy commissioners in all 64 districts, and regional election officials in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna.
The earlier directive also stated that candidates and journalists would not be allowed to carry or use mobile phones within 400 yards of polling stations on election day, which faced strong objections from journalist organizations.
Following this directive, the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) met with the Election Commission’s senior secretary, Akhtar Ahmed, on Monday to protest the mobile phone ban on journalists.
RFED President Kazi Jebel stated that the organization informed the Election Commission that such a decision would hinder press freedom and undermine the transparency of the elections. He remarked, “This kind of decision will affect the transparency of the elections and impose restrictions on media freedom. Mobile phones are an essential tool for journalists to perform their professional duties.”
It is worth mentioning that the Election Commission announced the election schedule on December 11, which includes the 13th parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026, alongside a referendum on the implementation order for the National Charter (constitutional reforms) in July.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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