BNP opposes Awami League’s EVM, EC law suggestions

The BNP has opposed the Awami League’s suggestion for resuming the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in the general elections of 2019.

The main opposition party outside Parliament has also frowned at the ruling party's idea for the making of a law defining how the Election Commission should be constituted.

Speaking at an event on Friday, the BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made clear their position on the issue of a law.

He also conveyed his party's stand against the use of EVMs, both of which were raised during the ruling party's deliberation with the president regarding the formation of the next Election Commission.

He said the 'one-sided law' would not find takers among all and that the use of EVMs would open gates to 'digital corruption'.

The Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led current EC runs its term next month.

A new electoral commission will administer the 2019 polls.

Although the constitution prescribes for the promulgation of a law for formation of the EC, the failure to do so in 45 years has prompted President Abdul Hamid to initiate its formation like the last time after holding discussions with all political parties.

The Awami League during talks with the president on Wednesday suggested promulgation of a law or ordinance 'immediately if possible'.

It also pitched for the use of EVMs during the polls.

Opposing the Awami League's suggestion for the law, Rizvi said, "If you promulgate a law as per your unilateral wishes, it will fail to form an Election Commission acceptable to all the parties."

Claiming that most would be suspicious of any law formed at the Awami League's behest, he said, "All your laws are anti-people, all your laws are supportive of theft, all your laws are supportive of corruption," he said.

The BNP leader said his party wants that a search committee be appointed on the basis of discussion with all parties and an election commission under an 'acceptable' person be formed.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) Chhatra League's founding anniversary at the Bangladesh Photojournalists' Association Auditorium at Paltan, he also criticised the prime minister's claim during her Thursday speech of taking the country on a development highway.

"We have seen the theft of Tk 8 billion from the exchequer, we have seen billions stolen from the stock market. The cost of completion of roads, bridges and highways is increasing three to four times. This is Sheikh Hasina's development," he lashed out.