Mixed reactions over EVM use in Chittagong

The use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) has evoked mixed reactions among the voters of Chittagong 9 constituency.

Many expressed satisfaction and thanked for the introduction of new system for voting while some of them said they had to wait for a long time to vote for the machines developed technical glitches. 

Muntaha Maisha, a degree student of Enayet Bazar Mohila College who cast her vote through EVM for the first time in Sunday’s national polls was very much satisfied and happy.

"Previously I have cast vote through EVM in the mayoral election. This is the first time I have cast my vote through EVM in the parliamentary polls," said Maisha.

"It feels good to cast vote through EVM as it took only 15 minutes and the system will also reduce the chances of vote rigging," she said.

Abdul Haque who cast his vote at Shah Waliullah polling centre in the city said "This is for the second time I have cast vote through EVM. Earlier, it was the mayoral polls. Casting vote through EVM is hassle-free also counting votes will take less time." 

"The use of EVM should be introduced on large scale. I am happy to cast my vote through the EVM," said Kanchan Bikash Das who cast his vote at the same polling centre.

Expressing frustration, Smriti Rani Dey who also cast her vote at Shah Waliullah polling centre said "I had to wait for half an hour in the queue. This is the first time that I have cast my vote through EVM. Compared to manual voting, the EVM is much complicated," said.

Venting anger over the EVM at Dr Khastagir Govt Girls' High School polling centre, Suman Kanti Dey said the manual voting was better.

"I have been waiting for one and a half hour to cast my vote. The use of EVM is not for the first time here. We have cast our vote through EVM in the last mayoral elections. A mock voting was held prior to today's polls. The manual voting system was better," added Suman.

Hasinur Rahman, presiding officer of Shah Waliullah Institute polling centre told the Dhaka Tribune that an EVM of his polling centre developed technical glitch for some time. 

"In some cases, the fingerprints of the voters were not matching. As a result, there was some delay in voting," said Faruk Hasan Chowdhury, presiding officer of Shah Waliullah Institute.      

The EVMs were used in six constituencies, including Chittagong-9 across the country in the Sunday’s national polls.