Bangladesh eases election rules: Journalists and monitors can now carry mobiles inside polling booths. This key update from Election Commissioner (Retd.) Brig. Gen. Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah follows inspections at the result booth in Agargaon and aims to counter media restrictions voiced ahead of the February 12, 2026, polls.
‘This will support instant reporting and oversight, ensuring transparency,’ Sanaullah told gathered reporters. The 13th parliamentary vote pairs with a referendum on constitutional changes, heightening stakes for impartiality.
Prior to this, a comprehensive mobile blackout applied within 400 yards of stations, save for select officials like presiding officers, police guards, and app-operating Ansars. Enforcement orders went to top administrators nationwide, including divisional commissioners and all district deputies.
Media coalitions pushed back hard. On Monday, RFED leaders met EC’s Akhtar Ahmad, with president Kazi Jebel slamming the ban as an assault on free press and fair elections. ‘Phones are vital for fulfilling our roles without hindrance,’ he asserted.
Announced December 11, the schedule underscores the EC’s transparency pledge. Responding to protests, this concession boosts on-ground journalism, vital in a polarized political climate.
Observers view it as progress amid criticisms of past polls. With Bangladesh’s democracy at a crossroads, empowered reporting could safeguard the process, promoting accountability from Dhaka to remote districts.