Dhaka, Feb 09 (V7N)- The Reporters Forum for Elections and Democracy (RFED) has criticized the Election Commission’s ban on carrying mobile phones at polling stations during the 13th National Parliament elections and referendum, calling it a deliberate move to make the elections opaque, questionable, and controlled.

The statement was issued by RFED office secretary Md. Al-Amin. In a joint message, RFED President Kazi Jebel and General Secretary Ghulam Rabbani said the justification that the ban is intended to bring discipline to the election process is “unreasonable, unrealistic, and baseless.” They added that the restriction could provide opportunities to hide voting irregularities and create public doubts about the transparency and credibility of the election.

“Allowing journalists to carry mobile phones is not interference in the election process; it is a prerequisite for ensuring a free, fair, impartial, and accountable election,” the RFED leaders said.

According to the EC directive, only a few designated officials are allowed to carry mobile phones within 400 yards of polling stations. RFED said in practice, this is severely obstructing journalists from performing their duties, including reporting, documenting irregularities, and capturing photos and videos.

The organization warned that the decision undermines constitutionally recognized media freedom and the public’s right to information, noting that suppressing journalists’ abilities could make the election process opaque to voters.

“Free, fair, and credible elections cannot be ensured by silencing journalists,” the RFED statement said.

The forum demanded that the EC immediately allow journalists assigned to polling stations to carry mobile phones, warning that failure to do so could lead to strict collective action by the journalist community across the country.

END/SMA/AJ