Staff Reporter:
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 said yesterday.
The release explained that the commission decided to revise the protocol to remove any ambiguity regarding device usage on the Election Day.
It said specific provisions have been made for media and monitoring personnel to ensure they can carry out their professional duties without hindrance.
Journalists are permitted to carry mobile phones and will take photographs within the polling cen-ters to document the proceedings, it added.
The authorized persons include the presiding officer in charge of the polling station; the police in charge of the polling station; two Ansar members using the ‘Election Protection 2026’ application; domestic and foreign journalists and observers performing their duties in accordance with the poli-cy; and the competing candidates, their election agent and voters.
It said that the possession or use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden inside the secret booth or ballot stamping room.
In addition, the directive 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.
