DHAKA, JUL, 23 (V7N)– The Election Commission (EC) has today released its "Media Personnel Guidelines-2025," outlining the rules for journalists and media representatives covering the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, as well as all local government polls. The guidelines, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, aim to ensure systematic and fair coverage while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

Under the new guidelines, accredited journalists holding valid EC-issued accreditation cards will be granted direct access to polling stations. Upon arrival, they are required to inform the Presiding Officer before proceeding to gather information, take photographs, and record video footage of the polling activities. However, it is strictly prohibited to capture images or footage inside the secret voting booths under any circumstances.

Further stipulations for journalists include:

Limited Access: No more than two journalists from different media outlets may enter the same polling booth at a time, and their stay inside is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes.

No Interviews in Booths: Journalists are not permitted to interview election officials, agents, or voters inside the voting booth.

Live Broadcasting Restrictions: Live broadcasting from inside the polling booth is strictly prohibited. If live reporting is necessary from inside the polling center, it must be conducted from a safe distance outside the polling booth, ensuring no disruption to election activities.

Vote Counting: Journalists may observe and photograph the vote counting process in the counting rooms, but live broadcasting is not allowed from these areas.

Social Media: No live broadcasts from inside polling booths are permitted on Facebook or other social media platforms.

Non-Interference: Media personnel must refrain from any activities that could disrupt the voting process. They are not allowed to interfere with the work of election officials or touch or remove any election materials.

Impartiality: While collecting election news, journalists must not promote or oppose any candidate or political party, nor engage in any hateful propaganda. They are required to adhere to electoral laws and regulations in assisting with the election process.

These guidelines will apply to all general and by-elections conducted under the EC, including those for the national parliament, upazila parishads, city corporations, Zila Parishads, Pourasavas, and union parishads.

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 also be permitted to use motorcycles for commuting under specific conditions. "A reasonable number of vehicle stickers will be issued for journalists’ movement. Based on necessity and practical considerations, local administration may allow limited use of motorcycles by journalists for news gathering at polling centers," the guidelines state. To obtain such permission, journalists must submit their appointment letter, press ID copy, NID copy, and the motorcycle’s registration papers, driving license, and other necessary documents to the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer for verification and approval.

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.

While the specific date for the 13th National Parliamentary Election has not been formally declared by the Election Commission, preparations are underway, with indications from the interim government and EC officials suggesting it could be held in the first half of February 2026. The previous general election was held on January 7, 2024.

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