The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided to issue journalist identification cards and vehicle stickers manually for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, who said the manual process details would be shared soon. Journalists who already applied online will remain eligible, while those who did not apply online can collect their cards directly from the EC office.

Earlier, the EC had invited online applications for journalist cards and vehicle stickers for election coverage, but the process faced complications. Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin had assured a quick resolution to the issue. Journalist leaders had also given the EC an ultimatum to resolve the matter by Sunday, February 1, prompting the commission to abandon the online system.

The EC’s shift to manual issuance aims to remove procedural delays and ensure that journalists can perform their professional duties smoothly during the national election period.