The Election Commission (EC) has decided to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in the upcoming National Assembly elections. A project worth about Tk 9000 crore has already been taken up for the use of EVMs in 150 parliamentary constituencies. To make the project successful, the Election Commission is already sending SMS to voters’ mobile numbers to inform them of the method of using EVMs for voting in elections.
Election Commission Joint Secretary Asaduzzaman has confirmed the start of giving these SMS to voters from Sunday (October 9). The SMS reads “Press the white button next to the choice symbol to vote in the EVM and press the green button to confirm the vote – EC”.
Earlier, SMS was sent on various elections but it is understood by looking at the message that now SMS is being given on the occasion of the upcoming National Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, the EC has finalized a project proposal of Tk 8,711 crore for the purchase of two lakh more EVMs ahead of the national elections. This project proposal was approved in the election commission meeting on Monday. The project will now be sent to the Planning Commission for government approval.
According to EC sources, the commission now has one and a half lakh EVMs. About 200,000 more EVM machines will be required for voting through EVM in 150 seats in a day.