Journalists Allowed Phones Inside Polling Stations

Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah, Commissioner of the Election Commission (EC), has clarified that journalists and election observers will be permitted to carry their mobile phones inside polling stations on the day of the national parliamentary election.

Speaking to reporters on Monday during an inspection of a booth set up for media personnel at the Election Commission premises in Agargaon, Dhaka, he emphasised that mobile phones would not be restricted for accredited media and observers.

This statement comes in the context of a directive issued earlier on Sunday by the Election Commission’s Senior Assistant Secretary, Md. Shahidul Islam, which was circulated to all Returning Officers nationwide. The directive stipulated that, for the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum, entry into polling stations within a 400-yard radius would be prohibited for anyone carrying a mobile phone, with specific exceptions.

Those permitted to carry phones include:

Presiding officers of polling stations,

Police in charge of the stations, and

Two Ansar personnel registered as users of the “Election Security 2026” mobile application.

The letter further instructed Returning Officers to take all necessary measures to enforce this regulation, with the aim of maintaining law and order and ensuring a smooth voting environment on election day.

Commissioner Sanaullah’s clarification assures that these restrictions do not apply to journalists and authorised observers, meaning the press and monitoring personnel can continue their work without compromising their mobile communication devices. He added that this allowance would facilitate reporting and real-time observation, which are crucial for transparency during elections.

The Election Commission has also underlined that all media and observers must still follow general polling station regulations, including accreditation requirements and adherence to security protocols, while enjoying the exemption regarding mobile phones.

The key provisions of the directive and its exceptions can be summarised as follows:

By formally clarifying these rules, the Election Commission aims to strike a balance between strict security measures and the practical needs of media personnel, ensuring both voter safety and transparency during the electoral process.