Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday said that the returning officers are not prohibited from talking to the media.
Speaking to journalists at the Election Bhaban, he said: “We have sent letters to the government departments concerned including public administration that no one should brief returning officers.”
He said that the EC did not send any letters to returning officers about not speaking to the media adding: “If there is any misunderstanding regarding the matter then we will send both the departments and returning officers another letter.”
On November 22, a letter was sent by EC Deputy Secretary Abdul Halim Khan that said: “Without consent from the EC, officials will not be able to leave the work place, attend any administrative or development related briefing.”
The letter was sent to all senior secretaries, cabinet secretary PM’s chief secretary, all divisional commissioners, district administrators and district election officers.
This letter created a sense of confusion with many thinking that this meant that returning officers were prohibited from speaking to the media.
