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Iftekharuzzaman stresses journalists’ access to polling centers

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Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM
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Iftekharuzzaman stresses journalists’ access to polling centers
  Bangla Press Desk:  Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman has said that journalists’ access to polling centers must be protected in the upcoming national election. He warned that the rule requiring reporters to notify before entering polling centers could be used as a tool for harassment. He said this while inaugurating a training workshop on Election Reporting for the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the TIB headquarters in Dhaka on Friday. Dr Iftekharuzzaman said that some changes are being made in election laws and policies. But the expected reforms have not been achieved.
He explained that the obligation to inform authorities before entering polling centers may allow misuse and create risks for journalists. He urged that this barrier should be removed. But even if the rule remains, he said journalists must still perform their duties from their own positions, within the law, and in a collective manner. He said, “ Institutions in Bangladesh have been weakened for decades through politicization. Professionalism and neutrality in the administration have been damaged. In many cases, one group has replaced another, creating more partisan influence.” At the same time, he pointed out that some officials still try to stay neutral and work professionally. According to him, three kinds of forces now exist inside the administration: partisan groups on one side, partisan replacements on the other, and a smaller group of professionals trying to stay neutral. The election will take place within this struggle.
He said it is not possible to quickly change the whole administration. Time will be needed to build professionalism and stability. He said that reform commissions had made many recommendations, but progress has been very slow. Dr Iftekharuzzaman said that despite these weaknesses, journalists have to keep working. Their responsibility is to highlight how laws are applied, how rights are ensured, and also to expose where failures take place. He reminded reporters that their work is a constitutional duty. It is also their legal right and responsibility. “If we continue to demand transparency and report truthfully, we can help create the scope for free and fair elections,” he said. This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]
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[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

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