Voting with ballots unless decision on EVMs taken by Jan 15: EC

Staff Reporter

Published: January 1, 2023, 05:54 PM

Voting with ballots unless decision on EVMs taken by Jan 15: EC

The Election Commission (EC) is ready to hold the elections with the traditional ballot papers unless the decision of the project over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is finalised by January 15.

Election Commissioner (EC) Anisur Rahman said this while talking to the reporters on Sunday.

The voter list of the general election will be prepared by March 2, he said.

Anisur Rahman said the activities for the next general elections will continue through the year. The Election Commission will run with keeping pace with time from now on. Legal framework will be finalised by February. The boundary delimitation will be finalised by May.

He said work for setting up voting centers will begin after June. It will take till November to resolve the polling station issue. The registration process of the new political parties will be completed by June 23.

About EVM, he said we asked the Finance Ministry for manpower for EVMs. It is not possible to conduct voting with just a manpower of 13 people. A decision should be taken over EVM project soon. It will be very difficult to hold polls with EVMs if the decision cannot be taken by January 15. In this case, EC is ready to hold elections with ballot papers as well.

Anisur Rahman also said that the unusual slow voting in Rangpur City Corporation (RnCC) polls will be investigated.

With optimistic of political consensus, the Election Commissioner said, “EC will try to bring all the parties in the elections. However, it is not EC’s responsibility to bring anyone. Fair elections are possible in any government structure. Fair elections can be held even under a party government.”

He further said, “EC will not hold any more dialogue with the political parties. However, it will be considered depending on the situation.”

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