ECNEC clears Tk 40 billion project to buy, maintain 150,000 EVMs

The ECNEC approved the project at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Tuesday.

The Election Commission sent the much-discussed project and a proposal to amend the electoral law to the government recently with the next general election scheduled for December.

The move triggered an intense political debate with the BNP, which has been opposing the use of EVMs since these were introduced in 2010, continuing objecting to e-voting as it fears the machines will eventually be used for rigging.

A voter uses an electronic voting machine at the Government Hatem Ali College polling centre in Barishal, one of the three cities that went to the polls on Monday. Photo: Mostafigur Rahman

The ruling Awami League welcomed the EC’s action and questioned the BNP’s motive, claiming it reservations are bred by the fears of an electoral debacle. 

Hasina, however, recently said she favoured a limited trial of the machines in the impending parliamentary elections. 

The prime minister instructed ‘gradual use of the EVMs’. “She asked for learning and teaching the new system first to get used to it,” Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said after Tuesday’s ECNEC meeting.

A total of 150,000 EVMs will be bought under the project to make the voting process transparent, reliable and free from errors, according to the minister.

The estimated cost of the project is over Tk 38.25 billion and the time of completion is June, 2023, in three phases.

The cost would include Tk 35.15 billion to buy the EVMs, Tk 50 million in campaign for EVMs, Tk 100 million for transport, Tk 500 million for software, and Tk 750 million for furniture, officials said.

The BNP has also alleged that the money in the project will be swindled.

The prime minister has also alerted all to any possible abuse of the machines, according to Kamal who also said she suggested using the machines in urban areas among educated people first.

“These (EVMs) are being used in local government elections now. The RPO (Representation of the People Order) will have to be amended to use these in the general elections.

The minister, however, clarified that the decision to put the EVMs to use in the next parliamentary elections lies solely with the EC.