Journos give EC ultimatum to resolve press card complications

Journalist leaders have given the Election Commission (EC) an ultimatum until next Sunday to resolve complications related to press cards and vehicle stickers required for election coverage. They warned that failure to resolve the issue could force journalists to take tough decisions regarding election-related news gathering, coverage, and broadcasting.

The remarks were made on Thursday (January 29) following a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) at the Election Commission building in Agargaon.

Kazi Jebel, president of the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), an organization of journalists covering the Election Commission, said the demand to revise the existing policy for journalists has existed for a long time. Although several discussions have been held with the Election Commission, the policy has yet to be amended.

He said that without final consultation with journalists, the Election Commission has introduced a new online application system for press cards and vehicle stickers. The system, he added, is not user-friendly and is already creating problems, with the possibility of further complications in the future.

Kazi Jebel further said that journalist organizations have clearly informed the Election Commission that if the problems are not resolved by next Sunday, journalist leaders will meet to decide their next course of action regarding election-related news gathering, coverage, and broadcasting.

Dhaka Journalists Union (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam said that a new online system has been introduced this time for issuing press cards and vehicle stickers necessary for journalists to carry out their election duties. He said they have clearly conveyed to the Election Commission that the system is not usable and that it would be unrealistic to issue cards to all journalists through online registration within such a short timeframe.

He added that journalists have demanded a return to the previous, simpler method of issuing cards and stickers. Acknowledging the concerns, the Election Commission informed them that problems had arisen due to the new policy and assured that the issues would be resolved by next Sunday, or earlier if possible. Otherwise, journalists would meet again and announce further steps.