Chairman of the Election Reform Commission Badiul Alam Majumdar has called for political consensus on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), citing ongoing concerns over their reliability and potential for misuse. Speaking at a press briefing at the Election Commission headquarters on Saturday, Majumdar referred to EVMs as ‘flawed and controversial devices,’ highlighting the contentious debate surrounding their role in the electoral process. “No need to change electoral system”: Former CEC Abu Hena The Election Reform Commission has so far held 21 meetings to address weaknesses in electoral laws, regulations and processes. Based on deliberations in the meetings, the commission has formulated several recommendations aimed at ensuring a more transparent and efficient electoral system. “Our members have also engaged in consultations with diverse stakeholders.  We are also gathering feedback through our website, emails, and social media platforms. So far, we have received 364 emails and messages providing valuable insights,” Majumdar said. Reaffirming the commission’s impartiality, he said, “We have no hidden agenda. Our work is unbiased and not aligned with any political party. We are determined to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated.” Majumdar condemned the alleged role of intelligence agencies in previous elections, accusing them of unlawful harassment of voters and candidates. “Those responsible for such actions should be held accountable. Such irregularities have no place in a democratic electoral process,” he asserted. Challenges with EVM USE The challenges associated with EVMs extend beyond technical issues, encompassing operational inefficiencies and a lack of transparency. The sudden announcement of voting centres, followed by logistical complications, has further eroded public confidence in the electoral process. Some 60,000 to 70,000 malfunctioning EVMs are currently stored at the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Limited (BMTF), incurring ongoing warehouse expenses that were not included in the initial project budget. The Election Reform Commission’s recommendations are expected to contribute significantly to making the electoral process more transparent and inclusive, as stakeholders remain hopeful that these efforts will strengthen the democ*ratic framework of the country.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday said there is no scope for any candidate to win in the Cumilla City Corporation (CCC) elections by flexing muscle power. He said the Election Commission wants competition but not any war; and it will be a big mistake if any candidate tries to win by flexing muscle power. Also read: CEC: Not fully confident over EVM yet “Adequate members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed. We’re ready to hold the elections in a festive mood,” said the CEC at a meeting with mayor and councillor candidates of the CCC elections at Cumilla District Shilpakala auditorium. CEC Awal said if any candidate wins the election by any unfair means and if it is found out after the election through investigation, then the Election Commission (EC) will take necessary legal steps including filing of cases as per the law. Besides, if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) get out of service or damaged in any of the centres, the voting time will be extended for the voters who will arrive at the centres before 4 pm. Also read: Poll panel still lacks capacity to use EVMs in all 300 seats, says CEC The EVMs will be used in the Cumilla City Corporation elections set for June 15. “We have all the preparations to conduct the poll in a fair way. Action will be taken if anyone tries to ruin the environment,” he said. The CEC also urged the candidates to help conduct the election in a disciplined way.

The voting is underway for the sixth phase of local body elections to 218 Union Parishads (UPs) in 42 upazilas of 22 districts. The voting began at 8am at 2,186 polling stations and will continue till 4pm without any break. Read: 3 journos injured while reporting on UP polls in Thakurgaon Out of 218 UPs, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being used in 216 instead of traditional ballot papers. In the 218 UPs, there are some 42 lakh voters with 11,604 candidates contesting the elections. Of them, 1,199 contenders are running for chairman posts, while 2,559 women for reserved seats and 7,846 for member posts. Read:Post-polls violence: 2 killed, 20 injured in Narsingdi Meanwhile, 12 contestants for chairman posts, 32 women for reserved seats and 100 for member posts have been elected unopposed as there were no rival candidates against their respective posts. On December 18 last, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the sixth phase UP election.

More than 700 Union Parishads (UPs) are set to go to polls on Wednesday in the 5th phase countrywide elections to the lowest tier of the local government. The election will be held in 708 UPs on Wednesday, said Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat SM Asaduzzman on Tuesday. A total of 36,457 candidates are there in the election race for the chairman and member posts of 708 UPs at 95 upazilas in 48 districts. Of them, 3,278 are chairman contenders for 708 posts, according to the EC’s factsheet. Read: Pre-polls violence: 30 injured in Bhola However, 48 chairman contestants have already been declared elected unopposed, finding no rivals against their respective posts. Besides, 33 candidates for reserve seats and 112 for member posts have been elected uncontested in different UPs. In the 708 UPs, the total number of voters is 14.2 million under 7,137 polling stations. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in 40 UPs, while traditional ballot papers will be used in the remaining bodies in the 5th phase polls. EVMs will be used in 40 UPs, while traditional ballot papers in the remaining bodies in the 5th phase polls, said EC officials. The Election Commission on November 27 last announced the 5th phase polls schedules for 707 UPs of 47 districts. Later, another UP was incorporated in the 5th phase elections. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers was December 07, while the date for scrutinising the nomination papers was December 09 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature was December 15. Read:Some 390 independent chairman candidates elected in 4th phase UP Polls The 707 UPs include 8 in Panchagarh district, 19 in Dinajpur, 11 in Nilphamari, 7 in Lalmonirhat, 7 in Kurigram, 16 in Gaibandha, 5 in Joypurhat, 22 in Bogura, 14 in Chapainawabganj, 23 in Naogaon, 19 in Rajshahi, 11 in Natore, 16 in Sirajganj, 15 in Pabna, 11 in Kushtia, 20 in Jhenaidah, 23 in Jashore, 16 in Satkhira, 12 in Bhola, 5 in Pirojpur, 11 in Jamalpur, 8 in Sherpur, 26 in Mymensigh, 21 in Netrakona , 13 in Tangail, 15 in Kishoreganj, 21 in Manikganj, 7 in Munshiganj, 11 in Dhaka, 8 in Gazipur, 15 in Narsingdi, 10 in Rajbari, 15 in Faridpur, 15 in Gopalganj, 2 in Madaripur, 17 in Shariatpur, 17 in Sunamganj, 18 in Sylhet, 18 in Moulvibazar, 21 in Habiganj, 19 in Brahmanbaria, 25 in Cumilla, 27 in Chandpur, 12 in Feni, 20 in Noakhali, 25 in Chattogram, 5 in Khagrachhari and 3 in Bandarban.

The election to Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) will be held on January 16 using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all the polling stations. The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for the local body polls on Tuesday. Read:Aushkandi UP election finally held: AL’s Delwar Hossain elected as chairman The election schedule was finalized in an EC meeting held with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair on Tuesday. EC Secretary Md Humayun Kabir announced the schedule after the meeting. According to the schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 15, while the date for scrutinizing nomination papers is December 20 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is December 27. The balloting will held from 8am to 4pm without any break. It is the third election for the Narayanganj City Corporation after its formation in 2011. More elections Besides, the parliamentary by-polls to Tangail-7 constituency and five municipalities will also be held on January 16 next. Read: UP election in Natore: Voting starts in 15 unions The five municipalities are Noakhali, Natore (postponed polls), Bagatipara of Natore, Jhikargachha of Jashore and Banshkhali of Chattogram. The EVMs will also be used in the parliamentary by-election and the five local body polls. The Tangail-7 constituency fell vacant with death of Awami League MP Akabbar Hossain on November 16 last.

Amid the fear of novel coronavirus infection, three parliamentary constituencies -– Dhaka-10, Gaibandha-3 and Bagerhat-4 –- are going to by-elections on Saturday.   Over 10 lakh people are eligible for exercising their franchise in the three constituencies. The voting will begin at 9am and continue till 5pm without any break.   Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in Dhaka-10 while traditional ballot papers in Gaibandha-3 and Bagerhat-4.   Awami League and Jatiya Party are taking part in all the constituencies, but another major political party BNP is running in two constituencies – Dhaka-10 and Gaibandha-3.

International affairs subcommittee of Awami League (AL) on Sunday briefed diplomats stationed in Dhaka on the just-held elections to the two Dhaka city corporations, saying the development works of the current government were reflected in the results.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged the results of the elections to two Dhaka city corporations were announced as per the “government’s desire through a media coup”.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said longer public holidays, BNP’s publicity against electronic voting machines (EVMs) and their participation in city polls ‘as a movement’ are the main reasons behind  the poor voter turnout in the elections to two Dhaka city corporations.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has said the voter turnout in the elections to the two Dhaka city corporations was below 30 percent.