Awami League has urged the Election Commission (EC) to allow journalists to ply their motorbikes during the 11th Parliamentary Election slated for Dec 30.
The ruling party’s call came three days after the EC issued an official order banning the movement of 10 kinds of motor-run vehicles for 24 hour
AL’s Election Coordination Committee Co-Chairman HT Imam made the call at the inauguration of the party’s central media centre in the city’s Bangabandhu Avenue on Tuesday (Dec 25).
Imam said, “We don’t support any rules and regulation that may create the barrier to people from exercising their rights to franchise.
“We propose that plying and parking vehicles may be allowed 100 yards away from polling centers,” he said.
Imam urged the EC to take measures saying, “Journalists, who will carry out professional duties, can run their motorbikes with polls stickers.”
“The Dec 30 election will be held in a festive manner,” hoped Imam, who is the political affairs advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The EC’s ban is set to take effect on Dec 29 midnight.
However, motorcycles will remain banned for three days— until Jan 1 midnight.
The ban will be applicable on 10 kinds of motor-run vehicles, which include auto-rickshaws, taxi cab, microbus, SUVs, pickup trucks, sedan, bus, truck, easy bike and any kind of locally-manufactured motor-driven vehicles.
Vehicles carrying candidates and their polling agents, as well as local and foreign observers, will be exempted upon securing approval from returning officers.
The ban will be also relaxed for vehicles carrying members of local and foreign news media outlets.
Besides, the vehicles of the officials on election duty, law enforcers, emergency services, like ambulance, fire service, electricity, gas and telecoms will be kept out of the purview of the ban.