Election Commission’s probe body finds no assault on journos during city polls

An Election Commission's (EC) probe committee has found that there had been no incident of assault on journalists during the April 28 city polls.

The probe body has recently submitted its report to the EC's Secretary Sirazul Islam, claiming that journalists could not provide sufficient information and documents to prove their allegation of assault, said EC sources.

“As journalists' allegation was not supported by sufficient witnesses and documents, it was not possible to prove the incidents had occurred and identify the perpetrators,” said an EC official, who worked with the probe.

However, the EC's Secretary Sirazul Islam said, “I have received the report this week. Details of the report cannot be disclosed now. We will place the report before the election commissioners for further course of action.”

According to media reports, at least 10 journalists were assaulted by ruling Awami League men during the polling hours. Some reporters were robbed of cash, mobile phones and handbags.

Following that, the EC on May 5 formed two committees to probe the incidents in Dhaka and Chittagong. Headed by additional divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chittagong, each of the three-member committees included senior EC and police officials.

As part of its investigation, the probe body of Dhaka last month recorded depositions of presiding officers, policemen and journalists.

At these hearings, polling officials and policemen said they did not see any incident of assault. The journalists, however, said they were attacked.

Because of these contradictory statements, the probe body asked the three parties (polling officials, the police and journalists) to come face-to-face at a hearing on June 1. But no journalist attended the hearing that day.

Finally, the probe body submitted their report this week.

The probe committee also came up with recommendations that include formation of a guideline or policy on working jurisdiction of journalists on polling day.

It also recommended that journalists be made aware of electoral code and conduct.