EC bans mobile phones inside polling centres for upcoming vote

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a ban on carrying mobile phones into polling centres ahead of the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliament election, aiming to ensure a peaceful and impartial voting process.On Sunday (February 8), EC Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam sent the directive to the concerned returning officers, instructing them to enforce the restriction.According to the directive, no member of the general public will be allowed to enter within a 400-yard radius of polling centres with a mobile phone on February 12, the day scheduled for the election and referendum.However, certain officials will be exempt from the restriction due to operational necessity. These include the presiding officer of the polling centre, the officer-in-charge of the assigned police unit, and two members of the affiliated Ansar, general Ansar, or VDP personnel using the “Election Security-2026” application. The EC stated that the measure has been taken to maintain order and transparency during the voting process, and all relevant authorities have been instructed to strictly follow the directive.