Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued an ultimatum to the Election Commission, demanding the withdrawal of the mobile phone ban within 400 yards of polling centers by Monday evening. Speaking during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area, he warned that a strong movement would be launched if the restriction was not lifted. The ban was imposed ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum.

Dr. Rahman criticized the Election Commission’s directive, referring to past restrictions on internet access during protests. He also pledged to curb drug and arms trade in Mohammadpur if his party came to power, and said Jamaat would form a government for the people, not a partisan one. He accused some government officials of favoring certain candidates and warned against such actions.

The Election Commission had earlier announced that only presiding officers and designated security personnel would be allowed to carry mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers on election day.