In a move addressing media outcry, Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has granted journalists and observers permission to bring mobile phones into voting centers for the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections. The announcement was made by EC Commissioner (Retd. Brig. Gen.) Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah during a media briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Monday.
Sanaullah highlighted that this relaxation will facilitate live updates and vigilant observation, crucial for maintaining public trust in the polls set for February 12, 2026. The elections coincide with a public referendum on constitutional reforms.
Earlier guidelines had forbidden mobile use within 400 yards of polling stations, sparking backlash from press bodies. Exemptions were limited to presiding officers, security police, and two Ansar personnel handling the Election Security 2026 app. The EC had circulated stern letters to regional commissioners, deputy commissioners in 64 districts, and 69 returning officers to guarantee compliance.
Journalist groups, led by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), confronted EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmad on Monday, decrying the policy as a threat to journalistic independence and electoral openness. ‘Mobiles are indispensable for our work,’ stated RFED chair Kazi Jebel, warning of compromised transparency.
The EC’s announcement on December 11 last year outlined the election timeline, emphasizing fairness. This policy pivot responds directly to those advocacy efforts, marking a step toward greater media access.
As campaigning intensifies, this development could enhance real-time scrutiny, deterring irregularities and fostering a more credible democratic exercise. Stakeholders hope it signals broader reforms in election management.