Dhaka: Bangladesh Election Commission’s circular banning mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centres on election day became a talking point at rallies in the country’s capital Monday, forcing the poll panel to change tack.
Withdrawal of the controversial circular came amid mounting political pressure, including a forceful denunciation from Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), at a public meeting in Mohammadpur. Islam, in an indirect reference to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accused the poll panel of acting under external influence.
“I know who is dictating these dictums and laws to the Election Commission,” he said at the public meeting. “It is becoming clear before the people of Bangladesh who does not want the EC to function in a transparent manner ahead of the polls.”
He then went on to warn that unless the circular was withdrawn by the end of the day, his party would stage a gherao, or blockade, at the poll panel’s HQ. “We have done it once, we will do it again. If by evening, it is not withdrawn the EC will see our might,” Islam added.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, however, made no reference to the mobile phone ban during his speech Monday in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi. He instead focused on poll promises, including the promise to usher in a green revolution if voted to power.
By evening, the poll panel softened its position on the circular. Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said voters would be permitted to enter polling centers with mobile phones.
Candidates and their polling agents would also be allowed to carry phones and take photographs inside polling centers if necessary, he said, though adding that photography inside voting booths would remain strictly prohibited.
The initial directive, issued through a circular signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam, had allowed only presiding officers, police officers in charge, and designated Ansar and VDP personnel to carry mobile phones inside polling centers. The circular did not clearly address whether journalists or election observers would be exempt.
Though it did not find mention in major political rallies, sweeping nationwide restrictions have also been introduced on vehicular movement in days leading up to the vote.
According to a gazette notification issued by the Road Transport and Highways Division on 8 February, motorcycle movement will be completely banned for three days starting midnight Tuesday.
All vehicular movement will be suspended nationwide from midnight Wednesday until midnight Thursday, with exceptions only for emergency vehicles and those deputed for election-related services. On polling day, taxis, pickups, microbuses, and trucks will also be barred from operating during the same 24-hour period.
Voting is set to take place from 7:30 am till 4:30 pm without interruption.
Meanwhile, political rhetoric intensified at a separate rally in Badda, Dhaka, where Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said if the alliance led by his party were to form the next government, Nahid Islam would be made a minister.
“Nahid will be in the cockpit of the plane,” he said, suggesting a leadership role for the NCP convener. Leaders of Bangladesh Khelafat-e-Majlis, including its chief Mamunul Haque, also addressed the gathering.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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