Media prohibited from taking cameras, mobile phones near ballot stations on polling day, says EC

Elections Commission has announced that members of the media will not be able have on their persons, cameras or mobile phones while near the ballot stations, during the October 19th presidential elections.

In a press conference on Friday, EC member Ali Mohamed Manik said that the Commission is working under the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court, and that the guidelines states that the EC must ensure that individuals do not take any material near the ballot station, except a pen to mark their ballot.

Manik said that consultations with the Supreme Court to clarify legal points in the courts ruling have revealed that the members of the media, including elections officials, shall not be allowed to take any material near the balloting station, except a pen to mark their ballot.

He assured that, regardless of difficulties, EC is fully complying with the Supreme Court ruling to hold the October 19th presidential elections.