EC revises directives for journalists for Rangpur city polls
Journalists cannot stay in the polling booths for more than 10 minutes
The Election Commission (EC) has revised the directives issued for the journalists covering the upcoming Rangpur City Corporation polls on 27 December.
As per the revised circular sent to the media on Saturday, journalists will not be allowed to stay more than ten minutes in the polling booths.
Besides, the rule that no special sticker will be provided for motorcycles remains in force.
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Earlier on 18 December, the election commission issued a circular listing 13 instructions for the journalists who will be collecting news of the Rangpur City Corporation election.
The previous circular noted that journos will be allowed no more than ten minutes inside a polling station where they would be able to collect information, take pictures and record videos only after notifying the presiding officer.
The circular has been revised after facing much criticism.
"There was a typing mistake in the previous circular. It has now been corrected. Journalists can stay in the polling stations as long as they want, but they can stay near the polling booths for a maximum of 10 minutes," said Asaduzzaman Arzu, joint secretary of the EC.
Regarding the use of motorcycles, he said, "This constituency is very small. That is why we are not giving any stickers for motorcycles. However, stickers will be provided for motorcycles in the areas where other vehicles cannot reach. In that case, the local election officer will issue the stickers."
The other controversial rules in the EC circular include- the journalists have to collect information, pictures or videos of the voting process with due permission from the presiding officer. They would not be allowed to take pictures or videos of the secret rooms.
Besides, the circular prohibits any kind of live broadcasting from within the polling station and from the vote counting room.
As per the circular, journalists from multiple media cannot enter the same polling booth and they cannot interview election officials, election agents or voters in the polling booths.
It further said that journalists will not be allowed to carry any campaign in favour or against any candidate or any political party while collecting news.
