EC not prepared for national election using EVM in 300 constituencies: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today said that, The Election Commission is not prepared for holding the next national elections using the electronic voting machines (EVM) in all 300 constituencies.

In a press briefing on Tuesday (10 May) the CEC said, "Election Commission lacks the capability to hold elections in all constituencies using the EVMs".

Earlier on Monday (9 May), the Election Commissioner (EC) M Alamgir told the media that EVMs could be used in 100 seats if the political parties could gain confidence in the upcoming elections.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently said that the next national election will be held using the EVMs.

The EVMs were first used in the country during the local government elections in 2010.  However, the EVM system has triggered debate as the opposition parties have accused the government of rigging votes by manipulating the machines.

GM Quader, deputy leader of the opposition and Jatiya Party chairperson, said it is the Election Commission's responsibility to decide the manner in which the election will be held.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said that the ruling Awami League will try to rig the election by manipulating the EVMs.