Noman Mosharef :
The use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in recently ended Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls has made less expenditure compare with last NCC election. In future the use of EVM at voting system will minimize cost at election management system said the related officials.
Identification System for Enhancing Access to Services-2 (IDEA-2) project director Brigadier general Abul Kashem Md Fazlul Kader said I want to placed firstly about Chattogram City Corporation election in 2015 where ballot paper were used and over all expenditure counted Tk 20 crore. Last CCC election where EC counted Tk 9.56 crore as EVM was used in 2021 polls. He said if it is possible to reduce use of balloting officials, member of law enforces agencies then the election management cost will come down.
Brigadier general Abul Kashem Md Fazlul Kader said as a result of voting in EVM, ballot papers are not being printed. Earlier, the truck had to be loaded with ballot papers. He also said that the use of EVMs will further reduce election expenses in the future.
EC officials said about Tk 50 lakh have been spent for Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election management and Tk one crore allocated for law enforce agencies. This amount may changes as their demand.
It is known that Tk 5.99 crore were spent for holding the 2016 NCC polls which was four times higher than 2022 election. In 2016 polls, Tk 3 crore allocated for election management system and law enforces agencies respectably.
EC sources said the lion share of election management system budget has been spent for ballot paper printing. Besides, 40 types item could have bought for election purpose. And the allowances for voting officials are also remains.
In 2016 the NCC polls has organised with ballot papers. That time NCC voters were 4, 74, 931. The EC had printed 14, 24, 793 ballot papers of three colours for mayoral, reserved women and general councilors post.
In 2022 election, there were 5, 17, 351 voters in Narayangonj City Corporation (NCC) polls. EC could have printed about 15, 52, 053 ballot papers for three post candidates if they could arrange voting with ballot. The huge amounts of money were able to save with printing purpose. In 16 January 2022 NCC polls Awami League-nominated mayoral candidate Selina Hayat Ivy won the election for the third consecutive term.
