Dhaka, Feb. 9 -- Calling the directive banning mobile phones at polling centres "surprising", the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the Election Commission (EC) not to make such decisions.

The alliance leaders made the call after meeting the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday.

In a notice sent on Sunday to returning officers, the EC banned the use of mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centres during the parliamentary elections.

Only the presiding officer on duty, the police officer in charge at polling centres, and Ansar have been exempt from the restrictions.

Jamaat's Central Publicity and Media Wing head Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said the mobile phone directive has caused "concerns and anxiety...