The Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) has strongly criticised the ban on journalists carrying mobile phones inside polling stations during the 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum.
The organisation said the restriction is a deliberate attempt to make the election process opaque, questionable and controlled.
In a joint statement on Monday, RFED President Kazi Jebel and General Secretary Golam Rabbani said the justification that the ban ensures order at polling stations is completely illogical, baseless and unrealistic. Instead, the decision creates opportunities to conceal irregularities and raises serious doubts about the transparency and credibility of the voting process.
They emphasised that allowing journalists to carry mobile phones does not interfere with the electoral process. On the contrary, it is essential for ensuring a free, fair, impartial and accountable election. Modern journalism without mobile phones cannot function, as collecting information, reporting instantly, capturing images and videos, and documenting violations are impossible without them.
According to the Election Commission guidelines, mobile phones are prohibited within a 400-yard radius of polling stations, except for a few authorised officials. In practice, this rule severely obstructs journalists from performing their professional duties and effectively renders them inactive.
RFED said such restrictions directly undermine the constitutional freedom of the media and the public’s right to information. Preventing journalists from using mobile phones controls the flow of election-related information and renders the entire process opaque to the public.
The statement warned that suppressing journalists’ voices makes it impossible to guarantee a free, fair and credible election. Field-level application of some Election Commission rules is creating planned obstacles to journalistic duties, which is incompatible with democratic practice.
RFED has demanded that the Election Commission immediately ensure journalists on duty at polling stations can carry mobile phones. If this is not addressed, the organisation will consider the restriction a clear anti-media decision and will mobilise journalists nationwide for strict action.
