Use of new EVM in Rangpur city polls not sure yet: CEC

Just a day ahead of the Rangpur City Corporation elections, the Chief Election Commissioner KMNurul Huda on Wednesday said that they cannot confirm the use of new EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) in the polls until tomorrow.

Talking to the reporters at a press conference at city's Election Commission Bhaban the CEC said "it will take time until tomorrow to be sure about the use of EVM in Rangpur city polls as it is a technical matter."

"And without being completely sure about its technical issues, we cannot take risk of it. Hopefully a free and fair poll will take place in Rangpur, as we have concluded all the necessary preparations. The situation is totally under control of EC.", he added.

Unlike the old EVM, the new machine has a number of fresh features, including voter verification process, display of names of symbols of all the candidates, printed vote-casting confirmation slip and installation of data of the particular polling station.

Meanwhile, Election commissioner MdRafiqul Islam said two 24-hour monitoring cells- one at Rangpur and another at EC of secretariat, will be in operation during Rangpur mayoral polls.

More than 5,500 members of law enforcers will be deployed and CCTV camera will be set up at three polling centers, he said.

A total of 3, 93,994 voters are expected to cast their votes in 193 polling stations in the Rangpur city polls.