Noman Mosharef :
The Election Commission (EC) is facing huge challenge to win trust of voters and political parties about the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in elections.
Kazi Habibul Awal led EC organized two phases of dialogue in March and July with representatives of different quarters, including political parties, election experts, political scientists, academics, and journalists.
During the discussions EC asked for their suggestions on the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) issue and fixed a roadmap for the next general election making the upcoming 12th parliamentary polls participatory.
Only ruling Awami League and its close allays Bangladesh
Samyabadi Dal, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and National People’s Party had supported to use EVM in polls.
After the dialogue the EC has agreed to treat ‘EVM as a problem’.
Moreover, the EC has further said that it has no capacity to use EVM in 300 constituencies. Later EC again said no decision has been taken on the issue of EVM use.
EC Commissioner Brig Gen Md Ahsan Habib Khan (Retd) said there are mixed opinions about the use of EVM in polls. A few political parties are in favour and others are against the use of EVM in election.
He said if we compare the use of ballot paper and EVM, I think EVM will win the battle.
On the other hand, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal agreed that the EC is facing immense pressure to win the trust of the voters and political parties about the use of the EVM.
On the last day of dialogue with political parties on July 31, CEC talked with journalists and said use of EVM in polls is a disputed matter. Most of political parties had showed their dissatisfaction about it.
Even though a significant number of political parties have believed that there is a scope to manipulate the EVM, he added.
