Engineer Iqbal Hossain Taposh, the Jatiya Party (JaPa) nominated mayoral candidate for the Barisal City Corporation election, has called for the deployment of the army with magistracy power and a ban on using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming polls.
During a press conference held at the Barisal Press Club on Saturday afternoon, Taposh expressed his concerns about using EVMs in the election, stating that they can be easily manipulated, which can change the poll results.
He cited allegations raised during the Chittagong City Corporation elections, where results were reportedly altered through digital fraud.
Taposh emphasized his preference for traditional ballot paper voting in the Barisal City Corporation Election.
The JaPa nominated mayor candidate also called for the deployment of the army with magistracy power and the provision of adequate security to ensure a neutral election environment on election day, allowing voters to cast their votes without fear.
Taposh urged the Election Commission to establish a favorable voting environment before the polling day, enabling voters to cast their vote without hindrance.
Barisal City Corporation polls is scheduled to take place on June 12.