The Election Commission (EC) has decided to issue journalists’ election passes manually, reverting to the previous system, for coverage of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the upcoming referendum. The move comes in response to demands from the journalism community, reversing an earlier plan to accept applications online. Senior Secretary of the EC, Akhtar Ahmed, announced the decision on Thursday during a briefing at the EC building in Agargaon, Dhaka. He clarified that journalists who have already registered online and received approval will retain their cards, and no new online registration will be required. Earlier, the EC had planned to provide journalists’ election coverage cards and vehicle stickers through online applications ahead of the parliamentary election and referendum.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 29, 2026 15:05 UTC