The Election Commission (EC) is preparing for the twelfth parliamentary elections to be held in late 2023 or early 2024 under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal. The commission has not yet been able to take a final decision on the use of electronic voting machine (EVM), despite the use of technology in the election. In addition to policy decisions in this regard, there is now a lack of full capacity.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a workshop on training of trainers for information collectors and supervisors on the occasion of voter list update program at the Election Commission office on Tuesday, the CEC said, “At present, we are not capable to vote in EVMs in 300 constituencies.” According to our colleagues, we are capable to vote in EVM only in 100 constituencies.
Kazi Habibul Awal further said, “We have not yet made a clear decision on how the voting will take place; how it will be in EVM, and how it will be in ballot papers; moreover, how many votes will be casted in EVM and how many will be in ballot papers. This matter is still under review.”
‘Many people can express a lot of desire, can express goodwill. However, we have not yet made a final decision on voting in the EVM. I have already held many meetings. There will be few couples of more meetings in future. Then we will decide’, he added.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hinted at voting in EVMs. It is our responsibility to conduct the election. Maybe you can say that the Prime Minister has given a speech and there may be speeches from other people as well. Whether the Prime Minister has said this or the Awami League president, is not clear yet. These are different things to comment as Awami League president or BNP chief or JSD president ASM Abdur Rob.
‘We will conduct the vote as freely as possible. It is in our jurisdiction. The method is also under our jurisdiction. Many can give many opinions. Political parties can give opinions. “Ultimately, we will review the voting process and make a decision,” the CEC added.
In the inaugural function, trainees including four Election Commissioners and the Director General of ETI was present while the event was presided over by EC Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker.
It may be noted that, from May 20, the Election Commission will go door to door across the country and update the voter list. In this case, the program will be completed in four steps. In the first phase, activities will continue in 140 Upazilas from May 20 to June 9. And tabs will be used for this purpose.