CEC denies having offered $10m if faults could be found in EVMs

That the election commission shall provide $10 million if anyone can find any fault in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is a completely untrue statement, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

"The election commissioner who said that quoting the CEC did so mistakenly, and dissemination of it in the media has tarnished the reputation of the commission. The commission cannot give such a statement. Where will we get so much money?" said the CEC at a press conference in his office in the capital's Agargaon on Tuesday.

"The commissioner may have quoted me to gain the people's confidence and there is no other purpose here," he added.

On 21 May, Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman said at a programme in Madaripur that the CEC announced a $10 million reward for anyone who can find any fault in the EVMs.

The EC also said, "Mistakes often happen when people are bombarded with questions from journalists. None of my commissioners said anything like that intentionally. However, people should be more careful when saying something from a responsible position."

At the press briefing, the ECE also said no final decision has been taken about using EVMs in the forthcoming national elections since not all political parties have confidence in it.

"We have had five meetings on using EVMs. There will be another meeting tomorrow, which is open to all. We want to gain the confidence of all regarding EVMs," he added.

He said the commission wants a fair and participatory election. 

"I sincerely wish this, not only as the CEC, but as a citizen of the country," he said.

It is too early to challenge the EVM system as there are ten more meetings to come, the CEC said.