Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal today said that the decision to use ballot paper in the upcoming 12th National Election has not been taken under any pressure. It is the Election Commission’s own decision.

The CEC said this during a press briefing at the Election Building in Dhaka’s Agargaon.

Saying that electronic voting machine (EVM) or ballot paper is not a major challenge to the election, the CEC observed that the main challenge is participation of all political parties.

“It will be up to the Commission to ensure that all parties participate in the election. If all the parties participate in the election, it will be acceptable to people,” he also said.

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The biggest challenge at the moment is to overcome the political crisis, he added.

Saying “EVMs are more secure than ballots,” the Chief Election Commissioner said stopping rigging is easy with EVMs. But hundred percent fair voting is not possible either with ballots or EVM, he said.

Rejecting the possibility of early election, CEC Habibul Awal said that preparations are being made according to the roadmap announced by the Election Commission. So, there is no question of early election.