Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda expressed concern over utilizing the electronic voting machine (EVM) in the upcoming election despite disagreement of political parties regarding its use.
ATM Shamsul Huda was addressing a seminar titled ‘National Election Olympiad’ organized by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.
Shujan’s President M Hafiz Uddin Khan also a former advisor to caretaker government presided over the program while ATM Shamsul Huda was chief guest.
A total of 90 students from 30 districts selected through the district level Olympiad participated in the event.
During a discussion session, CEC Shamsul Huda criticized the present election commission over decision of using EVMs in the upcoming general election.
Former CEC ATM Shamsul Huda asked, “How is it possible to hold election free and fair when political parties have contradictions over the use of EVM machines in the polls?
Shujan’s Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said, most people are not comfortable using the machines to cast their franchise and nobody knows how credible the election will be by using these EVMs.
‘It is the responsibility of the election commission to inform parties about the neutrality and credibility of EVM’s but unfortunately it hasnot happened’, he added.
‘Experts say it take years to create awareness among public and make political parties agree over the issue,’ he said.
‘Why is the authority ina rush to use EVMs and for whose interest it is doing so?’Shujan’s Secretary questioned.
Former caretaker government Advisor M Hafizuddin Khan said ‘In other countries there are still disputes over the use of EVMs. What is the necessity of using EVM when political parties are against it?’
‘People cannot understand why the government is hurrying to hold the election. Parliament's tenure will end on January 28, the government has much scope to schedule it on a later date instead of December23’, he added.
Speakers at the seminar said opposition parties should not leave the political field. Election and parliament boycott always interrupts the flow of democracy. To ensure a free fair and credible election,participation of all parties is necessary with their political commitments.
According to the schedule, the 11th parliamentary election will be held on December 23, the last date for filing nomination papers for candidacy is November 19. The returning officers will scrutinize the nomination papers on November 22 while the last date for withdrawing candidacy is November 29.
