Mobile restrictions cause discontent at Mirpur polling centre

Voting at Kalshi Islamia High School in Mirpur-11’s Pallabi area continued with a steady turnout on polling day, though some voters expressed frustration over restrictions on carrying mobile phones into secret booths.

Although Election Commission (EC) has permitted voters to carry mobile phones into polling centres, officials at this particular centre have barred voters from taking phones inside the secret voting booths. As a result, several voters reportedly left without casting their ballots in protest.

Addressing the issue, Presiding Officer SM Shahriar Alam said there are instructions from Election Commission prohibiting the use of mobile phones inside voting booths.

“If a voter uses a phone inside the secret booth, I won’t be able to see it. That is why we are not allowing phones to be taken inside,” he explained.

The centre has a total of 2,446 registered voters. As of 2:30 PM, 1,039 voters had cast their ballots, accounting for a turnout of 42.5 percent.

Priyotosh Sarkar, the officer-in-charge (OC) of the police’s election mobile patrol team at the centre, described the overall situation as highly peaceful. 

“This is one of the most orderly elections in recent memory. We are making our utmost efforts to prevent any kind of disorder,” he said.

HM/SH