17 teams are not counted in favor of EVM

EVM Machine

Questions have been raised over the list of political parties for and against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by the Election Commission (EC) in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The EC released the list of 17 parties in favor of EVMs, several parties in the list expressed surprise. In this situation, the EC said that it will look into the matter.

The commission, in its action plan released last Wednesday, said 17 of the 29 political parties participating in the dialogue have favored the use of EVMs

 The list is based on the proposals and opinions of the registered political parties that participated in the election dialogue.

 9 registered parties including BNP did not hold dialogue with EC. According to the EC action plan, 17 parties participating in the dialogue voted in favor of EVMs and 12 against. The Commission feels that not using EVMs would not be justified as most political parties are in favor of EVMs. The commission considers it reasonable to use EVMs in less than 150 seats, taking into account the views of both parties.

In a dialogue with Awami League on July 31, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal also said, 'Most parties do not believe in EVMs. Many cannot be trusted. '

In this regard, the Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Ashok Kumar Debnath, told last Friday that the question regarding the list of parties for and against the EVM has come to the attention of the commission. The Commission has prepared this list after listening to the audio of the dialogue. Despite this, the commission will look into whether there is any mistake or not on Sunday (today).

What the parties are saying: Acting General Secretary of Bangladesh National Awami Party Ismail Hossain, who is in favor of using EVM in the list of the commission, told, 'We did not directly express any opinion in favor of EVM in the dialogue with the Election Commission. We have said that the Election Commission is responsible for fair elections. If EVMs are used in elections, the Election Commission will take responsibility for it. '

Secretary General of Bangladesh Islamic Front MA Matin told the reporter, 'In the dialogue we proposed 9 points in writing. It clearly states not to use EVMs in elections. Apart from that, we expressed our opinion against EVM verbally. I have also informed the journalists about our proposal. Despite this, I do not understand why the Election Commission identified us as a party in favor of EVMs. It's sad. In response to a question, he said, "It is not a protest, we want to monitor the movements and activities of the Election Commission." '

Chairman of Islamic Front Bangladesh Syed Bahadur Shah Mojaddedi said, 'We have told the Election Commission about EVM, its use should be transparent. It should not be rigged. This does not mean that we are in favor of EVMs. '

Abu Lays Munna, head of Bangladesh Cultural Freedom Alliance, said, 'We have not given our opinion in favor of using EVMs in that way. That said, if EVMs are to be used, then the possibility of using them in metropolitan areas can be explored. '

Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam said, 'We have told the Election Commission that if EVMs are to be used, they should be used only in 300 seats. EVM in 150 seats and ballot in 150 seats will create discrimination. Apart from this, I have said that voters should get used to using EVMs in local government elections first and try to gain the confidence of voters about these machines. '

Amir of Bangladesh Khilafat Movement Maulana Ataullah Ibn Hafezzi said, 'We have said in our written proposal that the simple people of the country do not understand EVM. Many of the political parties have no idea about this machine. Votes should be taken through ballots without using EVMs. We have also given the written copy of this statement to the journalists. '

The proposal signed by Shirin Akhtar, general secretary of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad), a party led by the party Awami League, which took a direct stand in favor of EVM, also said, 'Some real problems have been identified in the EVM system. Some questions and controversies have also arisen. Jasad requests the Election Commission to take necessary measures to resolve the problems identified from the experience of EVM polling. At the same time, the EVM system is technically error-free and reliable, as well as the ballot system is also called for preparation for polling. '

Bangladesh Workers Party, another partner party of the Awami League-led coalition, said in a written proposal to the commission in the dialogue on July 25, that the errors, imperfections and sufferings that have occurred regarding the EVM system have created public distrust and adverse attitude towards EVMs. The Workers' Party feels that if the defects, deficiencies are resolved, the controversy over the acceptability of EVMs will be removed. And political opposition must be dealt with politically. Not by imposing anything. 

By:Mohtasim Fuad

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