BSS
  11 Mar 2023, 19:22

EVM reliable, no complaints: CEC

COX'S BAZAR, March 11, 2023 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi

Habibul Awal today said the elections conducted by electronic voting machine
(EVM) system are reliable so far, no complaint has been received regarding
EVM.

"The Election Commission (EC) has always been in favour of EVM system while
conducting election," he said.

The CEC said this while addressing the opening ceremony of a daylong workshop
on "Use of modern technology in electoral system: challenges and ways
forward" at a hotel in Cox's Bazar as the chief guest this morning.

Chattogram Regional Election Office organised the workshop under the
"Capacity Building and Strengthening Project" of the Election Commission
Secretariat.

Main work of the EC is allowing the voter to exercise their right to vote,
Habibul Awal said, adding: "It's not the duty for the commission to see the
voters who have voted for which party. If the voters can't able to vote, if
they're deterred, if their rights are undermined at the polling station- then
we, along with all those concerned, will have to take responsibility for the
failure."

The Chief Election Commissioner said that the EC has taken a stance in favor
of EVMs after being widely trusted. So far, no complaint has been made over
the elections using EVM system, he added.

The EC has the capacity to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in 50 to 80
constituencies in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls, he continued.
                                                                                    "We hope that if all political parties would participate, the polls will be
fair, impartial and acceptable," he said.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan addressed
the function as the special guest with Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr.
Md. Aminur Rahman in the chair.

Additional Secretary of Election Commission Secretariat Ashok Kumar Debnath,
Project Director Brigadier General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sayem, Chattogram
Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Anwar Hossain, Deputy
Commissioner of Cox's Bazar Muhammad Shaheen Imran, Superintendent of Police
Md. Mahfuzul Islam, among others, were present.

Election Commission officials, senior administration officials, police,
representatives of civil society, new voters, public representatives and
freedom fighters participated in the workshop.