Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has initiated measures to ensure equal media access for all candidates in election campaigns on Bangladesh Television and private channels ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the referendum. In a significant move, the EC aims to foster a fair and unbiased electoral environment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the EC sent a letter, signed by Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer of the EC Secretariat, to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The letter emphasizes the necessity of creating a conducive electoral atmosphere to guarantee a free, fair, and widely accepted election.
The letter further stated that both government and private television channels have a pivotal role to play in the electoral process by providing equal access to all candidates during information dissemination. It underscored the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates during programs, interviews, talk shows, or electoral dialogues related to the upcoming election and referendum.
Additionally, the letter referenced Rule 25 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates, 2025, which prohibits candidates or party representatives from making personal attacks during media electoral dialogues. The EC requested that government and private television channels, along with other media, ensure equal opportunity for all candidates during broadcasts of electoral dialogues or programs, and urged vigilance to prevent the demeaning of any party or candidate.