Dhaka Times Report. The public's skepticism about the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) system has not yet subsided. Different people have different opinions about this method. The conflict between the Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET) and the newly formed Election Commission (EC) over this system has recently reached an extreme level.
Arrears of Narayanganj and Kumilwa City Elections and Narsingdi Municipal Elections, proposals regarding purchase of EVM batteries, proposals for making prototype machines for use of EVMs in national elections, Commission and termination of BUET are counterproductive. Because of this, the use of EVMs in the upcoming Dhaka City Corporation elections and the next National Assembly elections has become almost uncertain. In the meantime, the Commission has been verbally informed about this uncertainty from Buet. A letter has also been sent to the Commission in strong language recently to pay the dues of BUET.
Objections of the opposition
The opposition BNP has been objecting to the EVM system. According to BNP, this approach is still not applicable to Bangladesh. Moreover, BNP thinks that the current government can resort to manipulation in this way. Moreover, a problem has been mentioned that most of the people in the villages of Bangladesh are uneducated, how well will they be able to use this method correctly.
Statement of the government party
This method has already been used in two elections. No one raised any complaint there. Referring to other countries of the world, MP Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu of the current government said, if voting is done electronically in different countries of the world, where is the obstacle in our country? Where is the problem when introducing digital methods in the modern world? Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu MP also said that if something is introduced first in our country, people don't want to take it naturally. He cited an example in this regard and said, when a paved road was built in my area, an elderly man of the area stumbled and fell on that road. Then his toenails turned upside down. He got angry and said, Mr. MP, come, I will teach you how to build roads. The MP also said that people did not understand what a paved road was. Now people come to me to pave the way. He said, people do not understand the EVM system now. One day people will agitate for this method.
Election Commissioner about EVM
Regarding EVMs, Election Commissioner Md. Shahnewaz said recently, now there is no reason to worry about the use of EVMs. There is no turning back now. Issues that have arisen will be resolved quickly. He said that there is a plan to hold a dialogue with the political parties after the DCC elections on the use of EVMs in the national elections. He commented that the commission has taken some time in these matters.
BUET'S PAYMENT CONTEXT
A few months have already passed since Narayanganj and Kumilwa City elections. The by-election for the post of Mayor of Narsingdi Municipality was last held on January 19. EVMs are used in these elections. BUET provides overall support including training in the use of EVMs. In these three elections EC has not yet paid 55 lakhs due to BUET. In this regard, the IICT department of BUET has recently sent a letter to the Commission in strict terms to pay the dues. The letter states that they are in an embarrassing situation due to non-payment of dues.
Use of EVMs in DCC Elections
According to BUET, to use EVM in DCC elections, 1200 batteries have to be purchased urgently. Each battery at the rate of 1200 taka will cost 14 lakh 40 thousand taka in this sector. Due to the intransigent attitude of the commission, they could not take any decision even after meeting on this matter. But Buet sent a letter asking for money to buy batteries about a month ago. This battery should be brought from China. A split DCC election is scheduled to be held next May. A professor of BUET verbally informed the responsible officials of EC that even if money is given to buy batteries, it will not be possible to bring them from China before the DCC elections. Therefore the use of EVMs in DCC is completely uncertain. They are adamant in their decision that the commission will not buy batteries at the price of 1200 rupees.
National election context
CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed recently said that EVMs will be deployed before the next national elections. Kin' is the opposite of the real picture. According to the decision of the last commission, BUET proposed to make a prototype of EVM asking 2 crore rupees. According to Buet, it will take 6 months to make this prototype. BUET said that it is not possible to make 200,000 EVMs before the national elections if the prototype work is not done quickly. BUET and the previous EC had planned to build EVMs by June next year. Because the BUET said that the preparation of EVMs should be completed at least 6 months before the national elections for the examination. Although it has been a month and a half since the Commission took over the responsibility, the proposal regarding the prototype machine could not be finalised. Even the proposal given by BUET did not come up in the commission meeting. The new commission says that after the DCC elections in May, it will again sit in dialogue with the parties regarding EVMs. Kin' Buet participants said that if there is no EVM prototype, it is not possible to make EVM on a large scale. If this year is spent in making the prototype, it is not possible to make the required two lakh EVMs within 5-6 months next year. The concerned officials commented that the way the commission has proceeded in this situation, it is certain that the preparation of EVMs has not been completed before the next election.
Amidst these tensions, the EC is going to sit in a meeting with Abdul Majeed on Sunday regarding the creation of alternative EVMs. As the machine made by Abdul Majeed was not up to date, the previous commission rejected his proposal before leaving. On the same issue, the EC officials did not understand why the Commission was talking to the same person on such a prestigious question as the use of EVMs in national elections. It has been alleged that this person Majid has been luring the commission to give EVMs at a low price for a long time.
Whatever the outcome, the new Election Commission will have to decide on the EVM system. However, the decision should be taken after discussing with the opposition parties. As it moves forward with the determination to build a digital Bangladesh in tune with the world, it is wise to move forward with a positive attitude.
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