The Election Commission (EC) has banned the carrying and use of mobile phones within a 400-yard radius of polling stations on polling day in the February-12 referendum and national parliamentary election, except for four personnel.

The directive was issued in a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Md Shahidul Islam, which was sent to the returning officers on Sunday.

According to the EC decision, only three categories of personnel will be allowed to carry mobile phones inside polling stations.

They are the presiding officer concerned, the police officer who will be in-charge for security at the station concerned, and two Ansar members (Embodied Ansar/General Ansar/VDP) assigned to use the ‘Election Security 2026’ application.

Due to the directive, candidates or even journalists will not be permitted to carry or use mobile phones within the 400-yard perimeter of polling stations on polling day.

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The letter instructed 69 returning officers, including the divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram, deputy commissioners of all 64 districts, and the regional election officers of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, to ensure proper implementation of the decision.

The Election Commission announced the election schedule on December 11 last year to hold the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.