The fate of the Electronic Voting Machines hangs in the balance as the related project ends in June, with no sign of the Election Commission initiating any new project or plan for the maintenance and storage of the existing machines so far.
A huge drain on state exchequer
Electronic voting machines, first introduced in 2011 in Bangladesh, and touted as a great tool for voters to exercise their franchise, were adopted on a large scale for voting in six constituencies in 2018.
Last year, the EC sent a proposal to the planning ministry to purchase two lakh electronic voting machines and their management with Tk 8,711.44 crore.
New details show questionable methods being applied to buy EVMs
EC’s action in Gaibandha-5 on Wednesday was commendable.
Will the EC take any steps to address the crisis of confidence it's facing?
EC’s actions are failing to inspire trust in the democratic process
ECs in Bangladesh have historically faced controversies
The Election Commission's plan to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the next general election is surprising, given the very little time at hand to handle a logistical challenge of this scale.
Election-oriented Left Democratic Alliance opposes plans for using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the upcoming election, saying it will be an instrument of rigging.
Just about four months before the national polls, the Election Commission is planning to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in around 100 out of the 300 constituencies.
With only a few months left before the national elections, the Election Commission is planning to use electronic voting machines in the polls amid opposition from different political parties including the BNP. The commission has even initiated a move to procure 1.5 lakh EVMs at an estimated cost of Tk 3,821 crore, EC sources told The Daily Star yesterday.
The Election Commission is planning to arrange fairs across the country to make Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) popular to the voters, EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed says. .