EC Alamgir snubs allegations of changing political parties’ opinion

Election Commissioner Md Alamgir has dismissed allegations of changing the opinion of political parties on electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the Election Commission's (EC) roadmap, unveiled Wednesday with the plan to use EVM in 150 seats of the upcoming national elections.

"We have video records of the talks with political parties. We checked their feedback at least three times. We decided on EVMs based on the political parties' written statements and video records," the election commissioner said yesterday.

According to the EC roadmap, 17 of the 29 political parties which participated in the EC dialogue, were directly in favour of EVM and 12 against it. But a review of the written proposals given by the parties in the EC dialogue shows that 3 out of 17 parties – Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan – were against EVMs.

"Many came to the meeting with their written stance against EVMs. But, they later changed their minds after the dialogue. We listed them in favour of EVM," he explained.

"We have become certain from all aspects that EVMs cannot be tampered with. Many have said they want EVMs if the machines cannot be rigged. So, based on that, we have seen a total of 17 parties want EVMs," he added.

He also said that many have talked about keeping a paper trail. After talking with experts the EC found that adding paper trail is not possible at this moment. So, those parties have been listed as against EVM

"Still, since there have been news reports on the matter, we will double check to see if we have made any errors. If there are any mistakes on our part, we will fix it," said Md Alamgir.

Further elaborating the EC's decision on EVM, the election commissioner said, "Wherever voting took place in EVMs, there was no fighting, bloodshed, rigging and not even a single complaint. So taking everything into consideration we decided on EVM and this is our decision."

Alamgir said, "We want a fair election. This is why we have decided on EVM blending our and the political parties' opinion. We would have decided on EVM even if no one wanted it. All subsequent commissions will also go for the electronic voting machines."

About the allegations of conflicting information, the commissioner said, "This is a temporary misunderstanding. We have all the documents, which we will publish and the matter will be clear. We will hold talks with the political parties again. We will continue to strive to earn their trust until the end."

On the EC's decision to use EVMs, Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said that the main responsibility of the EC is to organise free and fair elections.

"The EC will do the needful to implement this objective," she said.

"If we think the EVM voting is fair then we will definitely organise voting in EVM whether the political parties like it or not. This is the EC's decision while the opinions of political parties have certainly been helpful," she added.

Rashida Sultana said that they have tested and reviewed the EVM device in various ways and found that the EVM is a very good machine and it will help in holding a free and fair election.

"Many mishaps can be controlled by EVM," she said.

About any irregularities, she said the EC will take immediate decision.

"Whether it be the Awami League, or the BNP, it will not matter," she warned.