EVMs face Narayanganj test

Dhaka, Oct 24 —Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are set to be put to test when the Election Commission will use the technology on a large scale in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) elections.

Following opposition BNP's not joining the EC dialogue over use of EVMs and BNP-backed mayor candidate's stance against the use of the technology in the Oct 30 vote, local government experts say the acceptability of EVMs will come under a major scrutiny.

BNP has long been expressing the fear that EVMs will become a 'weapon to rig polls'. But, ruling Awami League and its allies along with the commission are favouring EVMs.

Chief election commissioner (CEC) A T M Shamsul Huda said they have moved to use EVMs to make election management easier and faster, to reduce violence, costs and administrative complexities.

Measures to stop cheating of votes through the machines have also been taken, he said, in a bid to allay fears.

Citizens' platform Sushashoner Jonyo Nagorik's (Sujon) executive member Prof Tofail Ahmed on Monday told bdnews24.com: "Though there is no doubt over the use of EVMs, it's a test for the Election Commission to use EVMs in nine wards on a larger scale."

Tofail, who had been a member of a panel formed during the last caretaker government's tenure to strengthen local government, said, "Now the commission will have to remove confusion. It will have to ensure environment for election and security for the machines."

EVMs will be used in 450 booths of 58 centres in nine of 27 wards in Narayanganj.

A total of 1,400 election officials have been trained on EVM.

In June last year, EVMs had been used in 79 booths of 14 centres in one ward of Chittagong City Corporation polls. A total of 25,230 people had voted there.

Tofail also said, "EVM was used properly at one ward in Chittagong. Now it has to be seen whether the technology can be used properly in nine wards."

He said the acceptability of EVMs will increase once the technology is successfully used in Narayanganj.

EC officials said there is nothing to be worried about the EVMs as the commission has decided to use the technology only after tests.

BNP and its allies have been protesting the use of EVMs, saying one person may vote several times by taking control of the machines. The security for the machines is insufficient, they have claimed.

At a dialogue with the EC, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party and several other parties complained that though the EVMs would show the total number of voters, there is no guarantee if the vote is counted for right person. Softwares may be loaded on the machine before or after the voting to rig the results.

They said they were against the use of EVMs just to save money.

BUET IICT teacher Lutful Kabir said there was no scope to rig the vote with EVMs.

"Each EVM is operated separately, so it's impossible to hack them," he said. "A special committee formed with candidates, political parties and EC officials witnesses the loading of softwares into the machine so that there is no scope of confusion."

CEC Huda said those opposing the EVM were commenting 'without knowing anything first'.

"If they have any doubts about the machines, they can tell the EC or take the machines away for examination. Issuing statements without understanding or scrutiny is uncalled for," he added.
From:www.bdnews24.com