The Election Commission has decided to buy 150,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs) in several stages.
The commission says that the new EVMs will be state of the art, which will assess the biometrics of the voter and help in getting quick voting results.
The polling agents of respective parties can assess the veracity of the votes cast, added EC sources.
On these grounds, the Election Commission (EC) feels that new machines will make the election more transparent and accountable.
The new machines can also be tested before voting begins and get a pre and post-vote record via swift print, informed The EC, adding high standard batteries will keep these machines active for 48 hours.
EC says that the EVMs have three parts: control, ballot and external display units.
These EVMs can also be used to verify the information of the voter as it will show the voters’ photo and other information.
The proposal to buy EVMs was approved at the ECNEC meet on Sept 18 with the expected expenditure of Tk 38.25 billion.
The full cost will be allocated from the government fund.
Starting this year, the project will be implemented in three stages around Dec 31, 2023.
For the optimum usage of EVMs, as many as 3,110 people will be given training locally while 30 will be sent abroad.
“The commission has taken this step to make the voting system flawless and credible,” said an EC official asking not to be named.
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal observed, “The prime minister has explicitly ordered to ensure that these machines are not misused.”
Whether the EVMs will be used or not in the upcoming polls is a matter to be decided by the EC, added the minister.