The journalists can broadcast live from the polling stations in the upcoming 12th national polls slated for January 7. The Election Commission (EC) has allowed journalists for live broadcasting from inside the polling stations without permission from presiding officers.
The EC, however, will consider the live broadcast as CCTV camera monitoring and take action on the basis of the live broadcast of mass media. “We are not able to install CC cameras in all polling stations due to some limitations. Now journalists have to fulfil the responsibility and we consider the journalists as CCTV cameras,” said Election Commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana.
She said that a fully favourable environment for fair polls is prevailing in the country. As the polling day is approaching, the environment is further improving.
She made the remarks while speaking at a views-exchange meeting at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office of Nilphamari on Saturday (December 30, 2023). Candidates, returning officer, presiding officers and representatives from law enforcing agencies took part in the meeting ahead of the parliamentary elections
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at a views-exchange meeting with the candidates of Sylhet constituencies at Circuit House in Sylhet city also made the same statement like Begum Rashida Sultana.
He has said that the next general elections will be free and fair and the EC is determined to ensure that. “It is possible to hold a free and fair election with the support we have received from the government, and the EC is determined to hold the 12th national election in a free, fair and neutral manner,” said the CEC.
Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Abu Ahmed Siddique presided over the meeting, while secretary of EC Secretariat Md Jahangir Alam and DC of Sylhet Sheikh Russell Ahmed were also present at the time.
CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said that the EC has been sincerely working so that all candidates can get equal facilities in the election field, while election activities have been moving forward unabatedly with the cooperation of the government and sincerity of the local administration.
Later, he also exchanged views with the law enforcers and field-level administration at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana in the views-exchange meeting in Nilphamari said, “Since we could not install CCTV cameras in the polling stations, we are relying on journalists. The journalists will work as an alternative to CC cameras in the polling stations.”
She also said, “Although the journalists can broadcast live from inside the polling station, it should be taken into consideration that there is no disruption to the polling process. Two journalists can perform duty in a polling station at the same time in order to maintain the polling environment. In this case, journalists will not need the permission of the presiding centers, just to be informed.”
Commenting that the polling environment is very good, Begum Rashida Sultana said, “We are calling upon the candidates to extend their cooperation with the EC to creating election environment much more beautiful.”
The Election Commissioner told the presiding officers, “It is not possible for the EC alone to complete such a great event. It is not even possible with the officials and employees who are under the commission at the district and upazila levels. You who are the presiding officers are our strength. We need your sincere cooperation. If you and we come together and sincerely work, we can gift the nation a free, fair and impartial election.”
Calling upon the voters to come to the polling stations without fear, she said that the Election Commission is committed to hold the next election a festive, fair and peaceful environment. For this, necessary pre-election and post-election security measures have been taken across the country.”
