The Election Commission (EC) has decided not to use any Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary elections scheduled for the first half of the month of January in 2024.
Besides, the EC has also decided to use ballot papers in the voting to all 300 constituencies of the country during the general elections.
Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam disclosed these decisions on Monday after a meeting held at the EC Headquarters in capital’s Agargaon.
While talking to journalists, the EC Secretary said the EC's decision might have been due to the lack of funds required to buy new EVMs, the reluctance of the finance ministry to provide the Tk1,200 crore needed to repair the available EVMs, and the opposition it has generated from different political parties.
Earlier, the commission had planned to use EVMs in a maximum of 150 constituencies.
According to the EC officials, the EC currently has EVMs for only 70 to 75 constituencies.
However, the request made by the EC to the finance ministry for Tk1,240 crore for EVM repair, led to uncertainty regarding the availability of funds.
As a result, the commission decided to opt for the use of ballot papers in all 300 seats to ensure a fair election, said the election commissioner.
The Election Commission's plan to purchase around 200,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for use in 150 constituencies has been rejected by the Planning Commission due to a budget shortage. The Election Commission had submitted the project proposal on October 19, citing that the number of EVMs currently owned by the commission could only be used in 70 to 75 constituencies.
However, on September 6, a group of 39 notable citizens raised questions about the decision to use EVMs in the forthcoming national election, citing the ongoing economic crisis and the cost of importing the devices.
The use of EVMs in elections has been a topic of debate in Bangladesh, with some political parties expressing concerns about the potential for vote manipulation and technical glitches. The Election Commission has maintained that EVMs are secure and will reduce the time required to count votes, resulting in a more efficient and transparent electoral process.
The BNP has also been very vocal against the use of EVMs for polls.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday announced the election schedules for five city corporations --Gazipur, Khulna, Barishal, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
The election to Gazipur will be held on May 25, while Khulna and Barishal on June 12 and Rashahi and Sylhet on June 21.
EC Secretary Jahangir Alam announced the election schedules at a press briefing after a meeting of the Election Commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban here in the city’s Agargaon area.
The election to the five cities will be held with the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of traditional ballot papers and close circuit cameras will be installed to monitor the polls, he said.
In the cities, the balloting will be held from 8:00am to 4:00pm without any recess. The EC’s own officials will act as returning officers in the five city elections, he added.
In Gazipur city, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is April 23, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on April 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 08, as per the election schedules.
The Dhaka regional election officer will act as the returning officer of the Gazipur city election.
In Khulna and Barishal cities, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is May 16, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on May 18 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 25.
The Khulna and Barishal regional election officers will act as the returning officers of the two city elections.
Besides, Tarakanda Upazila Parishad in Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazar municipality and Araihazar municipality in Narayanganj will also go to polls on June 12 following the same schedule announced for Khulna and Barishal city corporations.
In Rajshahi and Sylhet cities, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is May 23, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on May 25 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 1.
