Awami League calls for introducing EVM in 11th parliamentary election

The Awami League has requested President Abdul Hamid to order introduction of the Electronic Voting Machines(EVM) in 11th general elections due to be held in 2019.

Although the EVMs were used in polling in one ward during the Chittagong City Corporation election in 2010, its permanent use in elections was not possible because of a discord between the Election Commission and its developer BUET over technical glitches. 

Led by party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the 19-strong Awami League delegation called on President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday at Bangabhaban to discuss the process of formation of the next Election Commission (EC). 

After the meeting that lasted an hour and a half, the President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin said that the visiting Awami League delegation had called for the use of E-voting in the forthcoming 11th general elections for the sake of free, fair and impartial elections. 

Later speaking at the office of the party president in Dhanmondi, the party General Secretary Obaidul Quader clarified that by E-voting they meant the use of EVMs.

Through EVM, voters can cast their vote by pressing a button next to the candidate instead of stamping a paper ballot.

When the EC led by Shamsul Huda first started the EVM seven years ago, the BNP and like-minded parties opposed its use out of doubt of its accuracy. 

After the success in Chittagong City Corporation polls, EVMs were used in some wards in Narayanganj, and Narsinghdi Municipality polls, and in Comilla City Corporation polls. 

The Shamsul Huda Commission had promised using EMVs in the parliamentary polls while quitting office in 2012 after completion of the EC tenure. 

But an EC-BUET tug-of-war over technical glitches brought an interruption to the use of EVMs. 

Speaking at the Awami League press conference the party's advisory council member HT Imam said that currently the EC is capable of holding elections using EVMs.

Responding to why the president has been requested in this regard, he said that the president forms the EC which “works according to his instructions.”