Dhaka Correspondent:

The Election Commission (EC) has taken a major relief decision for media workers engaged in news gathering ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections. The commission has taken a policy decision to cancel the online application process for journalists to resolve the long-standing complications related to cards and car stickers and issue cards in person or manually from now on.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced this decision at a press conference held at the Election Building on Thursday (January 29) afternoon. He said that this alternative measure has been taken to remove the technical complications created in the online application system and the suffering of journalists.

He also said that the detailed process for issuing cards manually will be officially published very soon. However, those who have already successfully applied online will continue to process their applications properly. And those who have not yet been able to apply or have faced problems with the online portal do not need to apply online again. They can directly come to the Election Building and submit the necessary documents and collect the cards.

Although an online application system was initially introduced to ensure transparency, journalist leaders complained that the EC portal was not user-friendly and many field-level journalists were facing difficulties while applying due to technical glitches. In the face of pressure and demands from journalist organizations on the issue, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin assured a quick solution.

Meanwhile, journalist leaders gave an ultimatum to permanently resolve the problem by February 1. The journalist community expressed relief and satisfaction that the commission changed its decision before that deadline.

The commission has commented that the role of journalists is very important in presenting accurate and impartial information in the election field. According to the concerned circles, this decision will ensure free flow of information and make the environment for collecting election news easier and more transparent.

According to analysts, this step of the EC is being considered as a positive progress towards ensuring a free, participatory and transparent election.