TDS Desk:

The Election Commission has prohibited carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of any polling station for the forthcoming national parliamentary election and a simultaneous referendum, both scheduled for February 12.

The ban, issued in a directive on Sunday, is intended for all members of the public and will apply for the duration of the voting.

Exemptions from the restriction are granted only to the presiding officers in charge of polling stations, the police officers in charge, and two members each from the Ansar, general Ansar, and Village Defence Party forces using the official Election Security 2026 application.

The directive to implement the ban was sent to returning officers by Md Shahidul Islam, a senior assistant secretary of the commission.