Barishal city polls: ‘EC to ensure free movement of media’

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan today said the commission will ensure free movement of media personnel during the Barishal City Corporation elections, slated for June 12.

"I always say media are [our] eyes and ears, [but] it is not okay to go live from voting centres. Talking about [reporters] staying more than 10 minutes [at the centre], can you work if everyone enters the room at the same time?" the commissioner said.

On the use of motorcycles by journalists, he said, "We are trying to reach a solution over the issue in discussion with the editors and journalist leaders."

The election commissioner was addressing as the chief guest at the preparatory meeting for the polls at the conference hall of Barishal DC office in the presence of election officials, members of law enforcement agencies and executive magistrates.

The implementation of law during the election will be strict and there will be no compromise, he said.

About electronic voting machines, the election commissioner said it was not possible that there could be irregularities using EVMS. "If there could eb, why hasn't anyone filed a case after 600 elections [through EVMs]? Where EVMs were used, people and the candidates didn't complain. Rather, there is scope of irregularities in casting votes with ballots.

"EVMs are a symbol of transparency, but I don't understand why there is a misconception about it," he said.