Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) has introduced new guidelines limiting journalists’ access to polling booths during the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, including a ban on live streaming from within polling areas and a time limit for media presence inside voting booths.
According to the updated “Guidelines for Journalists/Media Personnel Assigned to Cover Election News 2025”, issued last week, only journalists carrying valid EC-issued accreditation cards will be permitted to enter polling centres. Upon entry, they must inform the presiding officer before collecting any election-related information, taking photographs,
or recording video footage.
The new rules specifically prohibit capturing images or video inside the secret voting area of polling booths. Journalists are also restricted to spending no more than 10 minutes inside any polling booth, and a maximum of two media representatives are allowed in a single booth at any given time.
The guidelines impose further restrictions, including no interviews with election officials, polling agents, or voters within polling booths, no live streaming from inside polling booths or via platforms such as Facebook, live broadcasts may only be conducted from outside booths at a safe distance, provided they do not disrupt the voting process, while journalists are allowed to observe and photograph vote counting in designated rooms, live streaming from these areas is also prohibited.
Journalists must refrain from interfering in election operations, including handling election materials, and are required to follow all lawful instructions issued by the presiding officer. Coverage must remain impartial, avoiding any content that promotes or attacks candidates or political parties.
The EC has warned that any breach of the guidelines may lead to the revocation of a journalist’s accreditation. Legal action under electoral laws may also be taken against the individual or their media outlet.
As with the 2023 rules, the updated 2025 guidelines refer to “international news agencies” but make no specific mention of local media organisations. The new regulations apply to both national and local elections.
The Election Commission has stated that the objective of the new rules is to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections while enabling the media to report on electoral activities in a responsible and orderly manner.
