Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said that there is no reason to worry about the guideline issued by the Election Commission that imposes various restrictions, including banning journalists from using motorcycles to gather news during polls.
“The guideline will be reviewed if needed,” he told journalists at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday.
“The Election Commission wants transparency. It wants the elections to be held in an orderly and fair environment. With that aim, we will try to establish discipline in all matters,” he added.
However, he said, since journalists will also be monitoring the election, their views will be discussed to make a decision on the guideline.
On Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal issued guidelines for media workers in collecting election news for national and local polls at least eight months before the twelfth parliamentary elections.
The commission imposed some restrictions on vehicles in constituencies on polling days.
According to the new guidelines, the Election Commission will not allow the use of motorcycles for journalists, even though they have approved the use of vehicles with EC car stickers.
According to the Election Commission's journalist policy, only Election Commission-approved card holders can go to the polling stations and collect election news in accordance with the rules and regulations. In that case, they have to follow at least a dozen instructions.
No one can broadcast news on social media including Facebook directly from the polling booth.
This policy will be applicable for general elections and by-polls of Jatiya Sangsad, upazila parishad, city corporation, zilla parishad, municipal council and union parishad.
