Bangladesh MPs impressed by Indian Electronic Voting Machines

Determined to know the traits of conducting free and peaceful elections from India, a 10-member delegation of Bangladesh Parliament visited the Election Commission in New Delhi on Monday.

The delegation, led by Muhammad Faruk Khan, met election commissioners HS Brahma and Nasim Zaidi.

The two commissioners briefed the delegation about the Indian election system and answered their queries on election management.

During the interaction, Election Commissioner Brahma emphasised appropriate use of technology as it had become a game changer in elections and could help in meeting many major challenges.

He underscored the need for increased voter enrolment and encouraging the registered voters to come out in numbers in polling stations.

Brahma referred to the demand for giving NRIs voting rights and said this was subject to legal feasibility.

Election Commissioner Zaidi briefed the delegation on issues related to election expenditures, political parties and candidates. He described the role of the expenditure observers and monitoring team in the expenditure monitoring during elections.

The delegates were also given a demonstration of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) & Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), or verified paper record, and they evinced keen interest in EVMs and VVPAT.

“Yes they were impressed by the Indian Electronic Voting Machines,” said a senior official in the Election Commission.