Dhaka, Feb 09 (V7N)- The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a ban on carrying mobile phones into polling stations on the day of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum, scheduled for February 12, 2026.

The decision was disclosed in an official letter signed by Md. Shahidul Islam, Senior Assistant Secretary of the EC’s Election Management and Coordination-1 Branch, on Sunday.

According to the letter, the Honourable Election Commission has directed that no individual—except those specifically authorized—will be allowed to enter within a 400-yard radius of any polling station with a mobile phone on election day.

The directive has already been sent to Divisional Commissioners, Regional Election Officers, District Commissioners, and Returning Officers across the country for strict implementation.

However, the EC clarified that certain officials will be exempt from the restriction. The Presiding Officer of the polling station, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the concerned police station, and two Ansar members using the ‘Election Protection 2026’ application under the integrated Ansar/General Ansar/VDP system will be permitted to carry mobile phones inside polling stations.

The EC said the measure has been taken to ensure a free, fair, and orderly voting environment during the national election and referendum.

END/SMA/AJ