Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said Awami League is in favour of voting by  Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming national election. "We are in favour of using EVM in the national election.AL has no objection if EVMs are used in  the upcoming national election," he said. Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister,  came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting organised by the Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Quader said the Awami League believes that the EC's acceptability, neutrality and capacity are important for holding fair and free elections. "Our party's decision is loud and clear in favour of EVMs. There is nothing to hide here. I am calling for raising the use of EVMs in the upcoming election,” he said. In his opening remarks, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said, "We have discussed with more parties.  Many parties supported the use of EVM. We had no idea about EVM before. Now there is a complete idea. Many have told that they will not go to polls without EVM.”   READ: Don’t play with fire, Obaidul Quader warns BNP I will take decision after discussion with all,” he added. The meeting was attended by representatives of nine political parties, election commissioners and senior EC officials. The Election Commission called 39 political parties for discussion on using EVMs in the national election. Thirteen of the 39 registered political parties were invited to the EC office on June 19 while another 13 parties joined the discussion on June 21. 

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said the much-hyped Padma Bridge will be inaugurated in June and preparations are going on for its opening.   Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, made the remarks while briefing reporters after the 111th board meeting of Bangladesh Bridge Authority at the conference room of Bridges Division in the capital.    The minister said the work progress of the main bridge is 98 percent while river training is 92 percent and the progress of carpeting work is 91 percent. READ: Vaccine is not the only solution: Quader  The total work progress of the project is 93.50 percent, he said.  Obaidul Quader said the total work progress of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram is 85 percent.  Energy and Mineral Resources Division secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain, Roads and Highways Division secretary Md. Nazrul Islam, Power Division secretary Md. Habibur Rahman, Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs Division secretary Md. Moinul Kabir, Land secretary Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Railway secretary Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir, Physical Infrastructure Division secretary Md. Mamun-Al-Rashid, Bridges Division secretary, and Bangladesh Bridge Authority executive director Md. Manzoor Hossain were, among others, present at the meeting.

The celebrations of Golden Jubilee of Independence maintaining friendship with anti-liberation people is nothing but a joke, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday.