Election Commission of Bangladesh Issues Media Personnel Guidelines for Upcoming Parliamentary and Local Elections

Strategic Insights -

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released guidelines for media personnel covering the 13th National Parliamentary Election and local government polls. According to the guidelines, accredited journalists will be granted direct access to polling stations, but with certain restrictions. Capturing images or footage inside secret voting booths is strictly prohibited, and journalists are only allowed to stay inside polling booths for up to 10 minutes. Live broadcasting from inside polling booths is also prohibited, and journalists must ensure that their activities do not disrupt the voting process.

Key Takeaways:

  • Accredited journalists with valid EC-issued accreditation cards will be granted direct access to polling stations, but with restrictions on capturing images or footage inside secret voting booths.
  • Journalists are only allowed to stay inside polling booths for up to 10 minutes and may not interview election officials, agents, or voters inside the booth.
  • Live broadcasting from inside polling booths is strictly prohibited, and journalists must do live reporting from a safe distance outside the polling booth.
  • Journalists are not allowed to interfere with the work of election officials, touch or remove any election materials, or promote or oppose any candidate or political party.
  • The guidelines will be applicable to general and by-elections under the EC for national parliament, upazila parishad, city corporations, Zila Parishad, Pourasava, and union parishad.
  • The EC Secretariat and Returning Officers will issue journalist pass cards and vehicle/motorcycle stickers to accredited personnel one week before the election.
  • Journalists will be permitted to use motorcycles for commuting, but must submit necessary documents to the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer for permission.

Statistics:

  • Accredited journalists will be granted direct access to polling stations.
  • Journalists are only allowed to stay inside polling booths for up to 10 minutes.
  • A reasonable number of vehicle stickers will be issued for journalists' movement.
  • The EC will issue cards and vehicle stickers for journalists from authorized print, television, online news portals, IPTV, freelance journalists, international agencies, and foreign media for both parliamentary and local elections.

Sources:

  • "Media Personnel Guidelines-2025" released by the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh.
  • Signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
  • Asst. Director (Public Relations) Md. Ashadul Haque, EC.
  • "Bangladesh Elections", Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).