Home ›› 04 Apr 2023 ›› Front
The Election Commission on Monday decided to hold the next general election, staled for late 2023 or early 2024, using ballot papers in all 300 constituencies.
The commission secretary Md Jahangir Alam informed journalists of the decision after the 17th meeting of the Election Commission held at the Nirbachan Bhaban with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair.
Replying to a question about the EC’s previous decision of using EVMs in 150 constituencies, the EC secretary said in the roadmap the commission had decided to use EVMs at a maximum of 150 constituencies.
He said it needed Tk 1,260 crore to repair the old EVMs but the finance ministry expressed its inability to pay that amount.
Moreover, Jahangir Alam said many political parties had a difference of opinion about the use of EVMs in the national elections. When asked why they would not use EVMs after earlier deciding to use the machines in 150 constituencies, Jahangir said, “In our election roadmap we had decided to use EVMs at a maximum of 150 constituencies. A Tk 8,000 crore project was undertaken in this regard, but that has not progressed.”
He further said it would have taken Tk 1,260 crore to refurbish old EVMs, and the finance ministry expressed its inability to pay that amount.
Moreover, many political parties had a difference of opinion about the use of EVMs in the national elections, said Jahangir.
