Online Campaigning Allowed; Over 90pc Polling Centres Under CCTV Coverage: EC

Although traditional campaigning for the national election has ended, candidates and supporters will still be allowed to campaign online ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah has said.

He said campaigning through the internet or social media will not be considered a violation of the electoral code of conduct.

The commissioner made the remarks at a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, February 10, at the Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka. During the briefing, he also outlined the technological measures taken to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

“To ensure a fair election, extensive technological arrangements have been put in place this time,” Sanaullah said. “More than 90 percent of polling centres have been brought under CCTV surveillance.”

He added that for the first time, drones and body-worn cameras are being deployed to strengthen monitoring during polling. Live feeds from these devices will be monitored directly from the Election Commission.

Providing an update on election logistics and security, the commissioner said a total of 730,000 postal ballots have already been delivered. To maintain law and order, 958,000 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed nationwide on election duty.

In addition, 2,100 executive magistrates and 957 judicial magistrates will remain in the field to oversee polling activities and address any irregularities, he said.

The Election Commission believes that the combined use of technology, surveillance and administrative oversight will help ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

DBTech/SM/SH