There is a fear that the polls maybe foiled given that the elections are taking place in different circumstances, said Election Commission Secretary Helalluddin Ahmed.

“All the parties are participating in the polls which is taking place under an incumbent government. There is a chance that the elections might be foiled,” he told the media on Friday (Dec 14).

Responding to queries about why journalists have been banned from taking photos inside the polling stations, he said, “By now you people know that live telecasts and journalists taking pictures inside the voting centers have been banned.”

“Allowing the use of mobile phones to take pictures might create unnecessary chaos and encourage others to do the same. Hence there is a ban on live telecasts and taking pictures inside the polling stations”

Ahmed added that a guideline has been prepared for the foreign observers and a polls guideline will be prepared for the journalists as well.

The EC secretary also claimed to be unaware of the attack on Oikya Front Convener Dr Kamal Hossain’s motorcade saying, “We have not yet been informed on the matter yet, neither have received a written complaint.”