PM says govt considering using EVM in general elections

The government is considering introducing electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the parliamentary elections due by early 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has told Parliament.

In response to an MP's question on Wednesday, she said, "The plan to introduce E-voting in the next parliamentary election can be taken into consideration in order to further ensure the people's voting right in accordance with all existing laws for free, fair and impartial elections."

The ruling Awami League proposed the introduction of E-voting during talks on forming the new Election Commission with President Md Abdul Hamid on Jan 11. The Awami League leaders later said they meant use of EVMs by E-voting.

The BNP has criticised the proposal, saying the use of EVMs would open gates to 'digital corruption'.

The use of EVMs will make the casting and counting of votes faster and cheaper.

The EC headed by ATM Shamsul Huda used EVMs in some local government elections for the first time in 2010 and prepared the machines for the 2014 parliamentary election before leaving office in 2012.

The last commission of Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, however, discarded the machines amidst complexities over those and the BNP's opposition.

On Wednesday, the prime minister also stressed the need for a law to form the EC.

"We want a suitable law to appoint the chief election commissioner and the other commissioners. We can take the steps in this regard now in line with the Constitution," she said.

Hasina hailed the process followed to form the two last ECs. "It has strengthened our democracy," she said.

The new EC and the last one were constituted through search committees formed by the president following dialogues with political parties.