Cellphones to stay alive during polls

Mobile phone network will remain in operation during the polling hours across the country but it might be suspended in certain areas or even in the whole country instantly if any situation arises.
In a televised speech yesterday evening, Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said the decision was taken considering public demand and for successful completion of election activities.
But except the presiding officer, nobody can enter the polling station with mobile phone.
RESTRICTION
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat has imposed a ban on certain vehicles from December 28 midnight to December 29 midnight.
However, emergency vehicles will remain out of the purview of the restriction, said a circular.
It said Hajj returnees could use a banner inscribing 'Hajj returnee' in front of their cars. Besides, there is no restriction on outgoing and incoming passengers in the country if they show their flight tickets or passports.
EC PREPARATION TO DISSEMINATE UNOFFICIAL POLLS RESULTS
The EC Secretariat has taken all-out measures for smooth dissemination of unofficial results of the ninth parliamentary elections.
Apart from making sufficient booths for electronic and print media on the EC premises, the commission was also preparing to set up a big electronic board outside the EC secretariat so that people can watch the polls results from outside.
Updated election results will be displayed on the board.
EC Secretariat sources said they have assigned 16 teams who will collect results from the returning officers through fax or over phone. Later, the results will be shown on the board for newsmen.