The country’s major political parties have questioned the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the next parliamentary elections. Although the ruling Awami League supports EVMs in 150 constituencies set by the Election Commission (EC), BNP has already opposed the decision terming it a “vote rigging system”. Jatiya Party is also opposing EVMs. Election experts have also given logic not to use EVMs in the upcoming national elections.
Former election commissioner retired Brigadier General Sakhawat Hossain said the election commission is itself in doubt about the use of EVMs. The commission knows about the problems of fingerprints on EVMs. The people of grassroots also cannot understand EVMs. There is no scope to hold a fair election with the fingerprints. Many voters will be deprived of voting in this system.
He also suggested using EVMs in the various elections of the local government bodies instead of the national polls. Besides, he suggested adding Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in EVMs. India has added VVPAT in EVMs to tackle vote forgery.
Sakhawat Hossain said, the EC need Tk 9,000 crore to complete the project of taking 10 fingerprints of the six crore voters. It is not easy work which will take time. We had listed eight crore voters by the army. Now, who will take the 10 fingerprints of six crore voters? It will be costly and lengthy.
“As per, I know that maximum educationalists, journalists, citizens, and experts have expressed their opinion against EVMs during dialogue with the election commission. What it (EC) learned from this dialogue?”
He also thinks around 50 per cent of people in remote areas cannot vote through EVMs.
Awami League Presidium Member Abdur Rahman said there is no alternative to EVMs as only EVMs can give a guarantee of a technology-based fair election.
“The world is moving forward with the help of technology. We also go ahead with this trend. But BNP wants to take back the country. It (BNP) is an anti-technology party. We wanted EVMs in 300 seats but the EC said it will use EVMs in 150 constituencies. We welcomed the decision. BNP opposes the EVMs as it cannot rig votes.
Abdur Rahman said, “This time the environment of the election is different. Especially our development partner countries will observe the polls. They want an acceptable and fair election. Our party chief Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also wants a free and fair election. The government will provide all necessary cooperation in this regard. Only EVMs can ensure a fair election.”
On the other hand, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said EVMs are the machines of vote rigging and the festival of corruption.
He said, “The government is looting money in the name of purchasing EVMs. The country is passing a tough time economically. In this situation, it (Government) is purchasing EVMs costing Tk 8,000 crore only for rigging votes. Cases will be filed in future in EVMs purchase corruption.”
Amir Khasru said many countries in the world cancelled EVMs. Most of the political parties in the country have opposed the EVMs. As EVMs in our country have no VVPAT, the technical team of the election commission can change the results of the election.
He also referred that 13 out of 178 countries across the globe use EVMs in the election.
“The next national election will be held under a non-party caretaker government,” he asserted.
@ The article appeared on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 8, 2022 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.
