Free and fair elections possible with EVM: EC

The Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said a free, fair, and impartial election can be held through Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) as there is no scope for manipulation in the system.

The Election Commission (ECS) has taken all preparations according to the law and electoral code to hold Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) poll due on December 27 amid a festive environment. She urged the voters to cast their votes spontaneously.

She spoke with journalists Thursday at noon after attending a view exchange meeting with the current presiding officers at the Rangpur Government College auditorium.

She said ECS has stocked double the number of  EVM against the requirement for RpCC voting. If there is any technical glitch in the machines during voting hours, they have the expertise to sort out the problem instantly.

“We have trained the concerned poll officials and arranged mock votes and awareness programmes on the EVM system. EC has also been working to ensure a level playing field in
the election.”

She further said the presiding officers have been instructed to inform the commission immediately if anybody from the administration or any office tries to influence the election illegally. ECS will take instant measures if any irregularities are found.

An adequate number of law-enforcing members will be deployed to hold the election peacefully. She urged the voters to come to the centres and cast their votes for their chosen candidates.

Rangpur divisional Commissioner Sabirul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nure Alam Mina, Joint Secretary of ECS Abdul Baten, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Dr Chitralekha Naznin and Regional Election Officer Shahatab Uddin were also present during the meeting.

According to the poll schedule, the third-ever city corporation election will be held on December 27 through the EVM system from 8am to 4pm in 229 voting centres around the city.

There are some 4,26,468 voters in 33 wards of Rangpur City Corporation. Of them, there are 2,12,303 male and 2,14,165 female
voters.

On December 20, 2012, the first-ever RpCC election was held and Awami League supported candidate Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu was elected the city's first mayor.