More unjustifiable restrictions?
We are quite disappointed by the fact that the EC is considering either completely or partly blocking mobile internet services or reducing internet speed on Election Day on December 30. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is set to present to the EC four options which include blocking social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube and communication platforms such as WhatsApp and IMO, and reducing internet speed from 4G and 3G to 2G.
We fail to see the rationale behind such a move, especially given the stated reason of "saving lives" by a commissioner of the telecom regulator. While we all want to see a fair and participatory election that is free from violence and intimidation, the logic that limiting mobile internet services will help save lives is incomprehensible. We would like to ask the EC whether it thinks that mobile internet services have a part to play in the violence targeting opposition candidates during campaigning that we have seen in the last few days.
The EC's plan to go through with one of the options set forth by the BTRC comes on the heels of extraordinary restrictions on journalists who will not be allowed to use motorbikes on Election Day. It is the EC's duty to conduct the election in a free and fair manner but unfortunately, the steps it has taken so far have only served to raise doubts about the possibility of quick, easy and accurate coverage on Election Day. Blocking internet services would be an unprecedented move which will only taint the EC's credibility as an independent body and give way to speculation on Election Day. Mobile internet services are crucial for the dissemination of accurate news reportage and keeping people informed about the goings-on on Election Day which citizens have every right to know about. The EC must not go through with illogical and unjustifiable restrictions that may hamper the free flow of information among citizens on such a crucial day.
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