The Election Commission has sent a proposal to the government to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) by recommending a maximum of three-year jail term and a fine for obstructing media workers from performing their duties during the election.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan said special provisions are being added to the RPO to provide security to media workers in gathering news.
He told this to reporters at his office at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday.
Stating that the current commission has sent a proposal to the law ministry to change some laws, Ahsan Habib told the media workers: “You are present at the polling booths instead of us and cover the news. Keeping your safety in mind, we have made a new addition to the law.”
“Obstructing your duties, harassing you and trying to damage your equipment and companions are punishable by a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years in jail. In addition, the miscreants would also have to pay fines,” he told the journalists.
