Mobile Phones Banned at Polling Stations

The Election Commission has issued a crucial directive for voters ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for Thursday, 12 February 2026. According to an official notification released on Sunday, carrying any mobile phone into polling stations will be strictly prohibited. The ban applies within a 400-yard radius of each polling centre to ensure the security and smooth conduct of the election.

The notification clarifies that while the restriction applies to all ordinary voters, exceptions are made for three categories of authorised personnel who may carry mobile phones inside the polling venue:

Presiding Officer of the polling station

Police officer in charge at the polling station

Two members of Ansar or VDP (Village Defence Party) registered under the “Election Security 2026” app

Voting is scheduled to take place from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. This election will span 64 districts, with over 42,000 polling stations and approximately 250,000 voting booths across the country.

Key electoral information is summarised in the table below:

A notable development is the postponement of voting in the Sherpur-3 constituency due to the death of a candidate. In total, 51 political parties will participate in this parliamentary election.

The Election Commission has called on all voters to remain vigilant and comply fully with these regulations. Citizens are specifically urged not to carry mobile phones into polling stations to prevent disruptions and safeguard the integrity of the voting process. By following these guidelines, voters will contribute to a secure and orderly election, allowing polling staff and security personnel to maintain strict safety measures effectively.

This directive highlights the Commission’s emphasis on maintaining polling station security and ensuring that election proceedings are conducted without interference from electronic devices. Voters are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the rules in advance to avoid any inconvenience on the day of voting.