CEC for raising awareness about EVM

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda says the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections will save time and money.

“The EVM will be introduced (in the national election) with everyone’s assistance. The system is currently used in many countries,” he said, inaugurating the EVM fair in Khulna on Saturday.

It will be the administration’s job to stop people from damaging the system, the CEC said, noting that manpower will be developed to that end.

“We are running campaigns about the EVM. It is nothing harmful but rather saves time and money. What we need is voter awareness,” CEC Nurul Huda added.

The EVM fair is taking place at Khulna’s public hall. There are 15 EVMs at 12 stalls. The fair ran until 9pm.

The CEC said EVMs can be used in the upcoming parliamentary election if there is no legal constraint. 

“We have proposed an amendment to the law [for EVM use] that will be placed in Parliament. If passed, EVMs will be used [in the election],” he said.

Replying to a query, the chief of the Election Commission said politicians who raised objections against EVMs need to know about this election system first. 

He invited the politicians opposing EVMs to learn about this machine and share their views.  

Election schedule likely in November

Nurul Huda said the countdown to the election will begin from October 30 and the election needs to be held by January 28. 

The election schedule might be announced in November, he said. 

Army deployment

The CEC said army personnel might be deployed in the upcoming election since they were in the field in the previous national elections.

“The army will be deployed following the approval of the Election Commission for the sake of a free and fair election,” he said.