Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has announced that journalists, candidates, agents, and even voters can enter polling centres with their mobile phones.
The EC secretary made the announcement at a press briefing on Monday evening.
He said, “We have had extensive discussions on the issue of mobile phone usage, and a directive had been issued in that. The directive stated that mobile phones must be restricted in a 400-yard parameter from the booth or kept outside.
“Having revisited the directive, voters, candidates, their agents, and journalists can go to polling centres with mobile phones. However, photography inside the voting booth is not allowed. We are issuing a revised circular on the matter ensure there is no ambiguity.”
The EC secretary added, “Polling agents, polling officers, and assistant presiding officers will not keep mobiles with them. Naturally, there were questions about whether voters, journalists, media personnel, and observers could take mobile phones inside. I am confirming that that they can; however, photography inside the booth is prohibited.”
