Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar has admitted that no institution or individual currently enjoys full public confidence, describing the lack of trust as a “national crisis.”
Speaking on Thursday at a views exchange meeting with the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), he said, “The biggest problem is that none of us — you, me, all of us — are in a place of trust. I don’t claim to be in that position myself. This crisis of trust is our national crisis.”
The meeting came amid criticism from journalists regarding the Election Commission’s new guidelines for media coverage, titled “Guidelines for Journalists/Media Workers, 2025,” issued on July 23 ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
RFED leaders argued that the new restrictions could hinder the free flow of information. The guidelines prohibit live broadcasting from polling booths and taking photographs inside secret voting areas. They also stipulate that accredited journalists may enter polling centers after informing the presiding officer, but no more than two reporters may be inside at once, they may not stay for longer than 10 minutes, and they cannot interview officials, agents, or voters inside.
Anwarul assured journalists that their concerns would be reviewed:
“Every issue requires thorough analysis. Please cooperate with us so that, based on realities, we can work together for a better election. Since our core objective is the same, we can resolve these matters through dialogue.”
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), currently preparing to travel to Canada, was absent from the meeting. Other commissioners — Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, and Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah — as well as EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present.
RFED leaders warned that imposing such restrictions on journalists would undermine the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and prevent irregularities, urging the commission to revise the policy.
