Law enforcers want internet speed curbed during polls

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Emran Hossain Shaikh and Rafsan Jani
Published : 00:29, Dec 14, 2018 | Updated : 00:30, Dec 14, 2018

Law enforcers want internet speed curbed during pollsIn an effort to quell any kind of unrest triggered by rumours on the social media, law enforcement agencies have recommended slowing down internet speeds during the 11th parliamentary election.
In a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday (Dec 13), top law enforcers and intelligence bosses also urged for measures to stop mobile banking across the country three days ahead of the voting slated for Dec 30.
The key meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner, ahead of the national polls at the EC’s offices in Dhaka was attended by the secretaries to the home ministry divisions, inspector general of police, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces, chiefs of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), coast guard, Bangladesh Ansar and top intelligence agency officials among others.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said that the idea to slow down mobile internet was pitched by top law enforcers during the meeting. “The Commission, however, is yet to make a call on it.”
According to people familiar with the meeting’s content, IGP Mohammad Javed Patwary proposed slowing mobile internet to 2G from the existing 4G as well as urged the Commission to take measures to stop live broadcast by tv channels from polling centres.
He told the meeting that a huge amount of money is being withdrawn from banks ahead of the election, which is changing hands through mobile banking as well as money transfer facility provided by courier services.
He emphasised keeping track on the trail of these transactions and recommended to stop mobile banking services three days ahead of Election Day, the said.
IGP Patwary was backed by RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed, who recommended slowing down mobile internet for three days during the polls, sources at the meeting confirmed.
He told the meeting that they were working with the telecoms regulator conducting a round the clock watch on the social media for rumours or propaganda aiming to trigger unrest.
RAB chief Benajir also urged the Commission to consider formulating guidelines for the media during the election.
The Bangladesh Police chief was echoed on the issue of mobile banking by a top intelligence official, who said a huge amount of money is being remitted from the Middle East ahead of the election.
A representative from another intelligence agency told the meeting that plots were active to create unrest in the RMG sector as well as intel suggested that terror outfits were trying to emerge amid the election pandemonium, especially by using the Rohingyas.
Law enforcers also called the Commission to take measures barring TV channels from doing live coverage from polling stations as well as limit the number of journalists permitted to enter a voting centre.
They also suggested imposing restrictions on access of journalists so that they cannot enter the poling centres with mobile phones to capture videos.
Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam told the law enforcers that the media has been already instructed to operate in line with the guideline they have already formulated to the address the issue.

/zmi/
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