The government has decided not to proceed with electronic voting machines (EVMs) procurement project for now but it has not been cancelled, said Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam on Monday. “The Planning Commission has decided to suspend the processing of the project considering the government’s financial capacity amid the global crisis after examining the project ,” he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the Election Commission. Earlier on September 19 last year, the Election Commission (EC) approved a Tk 8,711 crore project to procure Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for 150 constituencies, out of 300, for the 12th parliamentary election. On August 23, the EC decided to use electronic voting machines instead of traditional ballot papers in maximum 150 constituencies in the next general election – likely to be held early next year. The decision received strong opposition from BNP and its allies, who didn’t join the talks with the CEC that continued throughout the month of July.
However, the ruling Awami League welcomed the decision as it was their demand to use EVMs in all 300 seats in the next election.
