Writ challenges legality of EVM use in city polls
The writ also sought repeal of EVM Ordinance-2018
A Supreme Court lawyer on Thursday filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of the Election Commission's decision to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in upcoming Dhaka City Corporation election.
Advocate Yunus Ali Akanda submitted the petition seeking High Court directives upon the authorities concerned not to use EVMs in the upcoming city elections slated for January 30.
Cabinet secretary, secretary to the president office, law secretary and Election Commission secretary are the respondents in the writ petition.
The writ also challenged the legality of EVM Ordinance-2018.
Yunus Ali Akanda, the petitioner of the writ, said, "The EVM ordinance contradicts with our Constitution."
"Article 93 of the Constitution says that ordinance can be made by the president in absence of the parliament, and only for emergency reason. In 2018, the House was active and urgency of the ordinance can be questioned," Advocate Yunus Ali claimed.
He said, "On top of this, Article 65 of the Constitution and other laws have the provision of direct voting by the people, not through instruments. The actual voter can be scrutinized through the instrument, but the ballots must be casted directly."
The petitioner also said that the United States, the United Kingdom and other developed countries do not use EVMs.
