Journos to be 'allowed' to keep mobile phones at polling centres

Journalists will be exempted from a ban on keeping mobile phones at and around polling centres during the 12 February general elections, the chief of a reporters’ forum said following consultation with the Election Commission (EC) secretary.

Kazi Emad Uddin Jebel, president of the Reporters’ Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), said EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed gave assurance in this regard during talks at the Election Bhaban on Monday.

He told reporters that RFED has been informed the ED that the decision to ban journalists from using mobile phones at polling centres would hinder election transparency and media freedom.

Read More

Govt withdraws decision to ban mobile phone on election day

Mobile phones are an essential tool for journalists in carrying out their professional duties, Kazi Jebel said.

Kazi Zabel also said that the Election Commission has assured them on this matter and that a decision will be made to relax this restriction for journalists. The EC authorities have also assured that the matter will be announced soon through an official notice.

On Sunday, the EC issued a notification stating that no person, including general voters, will be allowed to enter within a 400-yard radius of polling centres with a mobile phone.

The decision has drawn sharp criticisms from different political groups taking part in the election, including the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, as well as from different journalist associations.