Dhaka, February 9: In a significant move, Bangladesh’s election commission has announced that journalists and election observers will be permitted to carry mobile phones inside polling stations during the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. This information was shared by Chief Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retired) Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanuallah on Monday.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, Sanuallah made this announcement while interacting with journalists after inspecting the results booth at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. His statement comes amid concerns raised by media organizations regarding access and restrictions during the voting process.
Sanuallah emphasized that allowing journalists and observers to carry mobile phones would facilitate real-time reporting and monitoring of the election process, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability.
The 13th national parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 12, with the election commission stressing the importance of conducting a transparent and fair election.
Previously, the election commission had imposed a ban on carrying and using mobile phones within a 400-yard radius of polling stations on election day. Under that directive, only three categories of individuals were allowed to have mobile phones inside polling stations: the presiding officer, police officers assigned to security, and two Ansar personnel operating the ‘Election Security 2026′ app.
To enforce this decision, the election commission issued letters to 69 returning officers, including the divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as deputy commissioners from all 64 districts and regional election officials from Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna.
The earlier directive also stated that candidates and journalists would not be allowed to carry or use mobile phones within 400 yards of polling stations, which faced strong objections from journalist organizations.
Following this directive, the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) met with senior election commission secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday to register their opposition to the mobile phone ban for journalists.
RFED President Kazi Jebel stated that the organization informed the election commission that such a decision would hinder press freedom and undermine the transparency of the elections. He remarked, “Such a decision will affect the transparency of the elections and impose restrictions on media freedom. Mobile phones are an essential tool for journalists to perform their professional duties.”
It is noteworthy that the election commission announced the election schedule on December 11, which includes the 13th parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026, alongside a referendum on the implementation order for the July National Charter (constitutional reforms).