The Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance has termed the Election Commission’s (EC) directive banning mobile phone use at polling centres as “surprising” and urged the commission not to take such sudden decisions that could create confusion and unrest ahead of the election.
The demand was made on Monday during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon. Earlier, the EC had issued a directive instructing returning officers that no mobile phones would be allowed within a 400-yard radius of polling centres during the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, except for a few designated officials.
Following widespread reactions from political parties, journalists’ organisations and social media users, the EC withdrew the decision, alliance leaders said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jamaat’s Central Publicity and Media Affairs Secretary Ahsanul Mahbub Jubayer said the sudden directive had triggered anxiety and uncertainty at all levels. He said the alliance opposed the restriction under public pressure and welcomed the EC’s assurance that such decisions would not be repeated.
Jubayer urged the EC to clearly define its instructions regarding mobile phones, internet access and live reporting from polling centres. He stressed the need for ensuring journalists receive necessary passes and can work without obstruction. On live coverage, he said that while broadcasting from inside polling centres has long been restricted, the EC should clearly outline the rules for live reporting from outside to avoid confusion.
He also called on the EC to give an unequivocal assurance that there would be no internet shutdown or throttling during the election, saying such practices were reminiscent of past authoritarian measures. According to him, the EC assured the alliance that no restrictions on mobile internet would be imposed.
National Citizen Party’s election coordination chief Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said the alliance hoped there would be no “surprise decisions” regarding mobile phones or the internet that could disrupt the pre-election environment. He added that the alliance had been considering protest programmes over the mobile phone restriction but did not want the situation to escalate.
Bhuiyan also alleged administrative bias in favour of a particular political party and accused some police and civil administration officials of intimidating voters and exerting undue influence. He said the alliance had demanded the transfer of specific officials, but claimed the EC had yet to respond.
On election security, Bhuiyan said the alliance had urged the EC to deploy Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members at polling centres, arguing that additional security forces would help ensure a peaceful and credible election.
With only a few days left before polling, the alliance leaders called on the Election Commission to avoid abrupt decisions and ensure clarity on mobile phone use, internet access and live media coverage to maintain a calm, transparent and acceptable electoral process.
DBTech/SH/MUM
