The Election Commission (EC) has warned officials engaged in polling duties not to respond to fraudulent phone calls from scam groups ahead of the 13th Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12.
In a press release issued on February 1, the commission said a fraud ring has recently been attempting to collect bKash numbers from election officials by falsely claiming to facilitate payment of election honorariums.According to the press release, scammers have been using the phone numbers 01342046232 and 01612677074 to contact election officials.The notice was signed by EC Director (Public Relations) Md Ruhul Amin Mallik.The EC clarified that all polling officials would receive their honorariums in due course and that no individual or organisation needs to be contacted for this purpose.

It said honorariums for officials deployed at polling centres would be disbursed through presiding officers, in accordance with regulations, after the completion of the parliamentary election and referendum.

Reiterating its warning, the commission strongly advised polling officials not to respond to such scam phone calls or share personal or financial information.