EVMs in at least 70 constituencies in next JS elections: EC
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in at least 70 constituencies for the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections. To prevent irregularities and capturing of polling centres, the EC also plans to install closed circuit cameras at all the centres.
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said this to reporters yesterday at his office in the Election Commission building in Dhaka.
Earlier on 23 August, the EC announced the use of EVMs at a maximum of 150 seats, but did not give any idea about the minimum number of seats where the EVMs would be used.
He also said the machines would be used in areas where it had been used for local or national elections before.
Md Alamgir said, "It has been decided to use EVMs for a maximum of 150 seats. For this reason, it has been decided to take up a new project. However, buying EVMs is not in the hands of the commission and the EC Secretariat is looking into the matter."
He said it was not possible to conduct voting in so many constituencies with the number of EVMs the Election Commission currently has available. At current capacity, voting can be held for 70-80 seats.
That is why new machines need to be bought even if that is uncertain, he said.
"If the project is not approved or if money is not released because of the global situation, or if the hardware cannot be brought from abroad, then it will not be possible," he added.
The EC said it wanted to install CCTV cameras at all the centres of 300 constituencies. The decision has not been taken as yet, but if possible, he would give it to all polling rooms, he said.
The road map of the elections will have a thorough plan for polls management, he said.
"The road map is final and will be published once it is printed. The Secretariat is looking into the matter," he added.
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir also said boundaries will be redrawn once the population report is received.
"Currently there are 20 seats in Dhaka. If the population has increased, the number of seats will increase. If the population decreases, the number of seats will decrease. However, there does not seem to be much rearrangement," he said.
