Ershad sceptical about EVM success in general elections

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad has his doubts about the success of Electric Voting Machine or EVM use in the parliamentary elections scheduled for December.

Ershad, a key political ally of the ruling Awami League, aired his scepticism at an event in Dhaka on Saturday.

“Even our people cannot use their fingers properly, I wonder how they will use the EVM to cast their votes,” he said on being asked by a reporter.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda earlier said the commission planned to use EVMs in 100 out of 300 constituencies, but has not taken a decision yet.

The BNP is also opposed to the idea of the use of EVM in the elections saying, “The government is out to rig the elections digitally.”

Ershad, also the prime minister's special envoy, said, “People are suspicious about EVMs. It needs to be examined properly before putting them to use in the polls.”

The Jatiya Party will take a stance on the EVM in Wednesday’s meeting.

On being asked about the unity forged between the Jukto Front alliance and the Gono Forum under the leadership of AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain, the JP chief said, “I'm with my alliance.”

In 2017, the Jatiya Party floated a political coalition styled the 'United National Alliance.'

Ershad said they would go it alone in the election if the BNP did not go to the polls.

“If they come, then we will choose another way. If we try, we can go to power. That time has come.”