Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has revised its operational protocol to permit voters, candidates, agents, journalists, and observers to carry mobile phones into polling centers. A press release signed by Senior Assistant Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Md Shahidul Islam, informed this today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the release explained that the commission decided to revise the protocol to remove any ambiguity regarding device usage on election day. Specific provisions have been made for media and monitoring personnel to ensure they can carry out their professional duties without hindrance.
The directive allows journalists to carry mobile phones and take photographs within polling centers to document the proceedings. Authorized individuals include the presiding officer in charge of the polling station, the police in charge, two Ansar members using the 'Election Protection 2026' application, domestic and foreign journalists and observers performing their duties by the policy, and the competing candidates, their election agents, and voters.
However, the possession or use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden inside the secret booth or ballot stamping room. The directive further stated that no other member of the law enforcement agencies, except the Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officer, Polling Agent, and the specified police and Ansar members mentioned above, will be allowed to carry mobile phones in the polling station.