Experts say worst, substandard

Noman Mosharef :
Election experts said that the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) is a worst and substandard machine and can have technical glitches in its performance.
The immediate past chief election commissioner as well as former election commissioners said that EVM machine cannot be a foolproof system, there are scopes of error in them.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), a platform of citizens for good governance, on Tuesday said any machine that operated by software can be manipulated. Those who are programmers can make fraud (like vote rigging) by the machine.
SHUJAN secretary said it is proved by the Information Technologist (IT) experts that the EVM is ultimately a terrible machine to use in electoral system.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar made the remarks at a programme that presented information on the newly elected Cumilla City Corporation (CCC) Mayor and counselor at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in capital’s Segunbagicha area.
Earlier, the former chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda admitted that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) could have an error.
He said it was not possible to bring ballot unit under technology. There was some complexity. It could be good if there were finger print system. In future, it would be possible to install.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the Election Commission that they should take the decision on using EVM only after ensuring that the machine is technically faultless.
The anti-corruption watchdog that carries out research on different election issues also proposed on June 13, 2022 that EC should take this decision only after it is accepted by all stakeholders.
“Election Commission said they are still thinking about it (EVM) and they are yet to take any decision regarding the matter,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman told reporters.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said at a programme on Monday that the EVM is a machine for bluffing the people.
He said it would be impossible to befool the people by using EVM in the next parliamentary polls.
Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki said the ruling party is going to arrange an election in which they want to rob the people’s voting rights by using EVM.
During EC’s dialogue, all political parties excepting four parties including Awami League (AL), opposed use EVM in next parliamentary election.
But in the view exchange meeting, four political parties opposed the proposal for EVM use in all constituencies.
Gono Forum presidium member Suraiya Begum told the meeting that the EVM is well recognised as a flawed system as it does not guarantee that a voter can cast his vote for the symbol of his choice. Besides, the devices can be used to change election results.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal standing committee member Mosharraf Hossain said it will not be a right decision to hold the next parliamentary polls using EVM as mass people are yet to be familiar with the method.
Bangladesh National Awami Party Secretary General Golam Mustafa Bhuiyan said that doubt and mistrust prevail in the country’s political arena over the EVM. The people believe that it is a ‘trusted device for automatic ballot rigging.’
Bikalpa Dhara Secretary General Abdul Mannan admitted the EVM is an advanced technology, but raised the question over mass people’s efficiency in using it. Even he cast doubt over the EC’s capacity in providing EVMs to all polling booths.