M Hafizuddin Khan, Former Caretaker Government Adviser:
The Election Commission’s move to procure electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the upcoming general election is quite absurd. There has been no consensus among the political parties over the use EVMs in the next national election. 99 percent voters are not aware of the use of the EVMs. People’s confidence in the EVMs should be weighed up first before its use.
Already people have no confidence in the Election Commission. People have to be taught about its use in order to create confidence in the EVMs. The next parliamentary election is just 3-4 months away. The decision to procure the EVMs within this short period is silly.
Mental preparation is necessary for the use of EVMs. Consensus of all political parties is must for it. Confidence has to be built among the people about it first.
Many questions have arisen over the Election Commission’s hasty move for bringingamendment to the Representation of People Order (RPO). Why is the hectic preparation for EVMs? Has the LC been opened for it? The proposal has not been approved yet and so, the hasty preparation has raised many questions on public mind.
I cannot say for sure if there is a political motive behind the use of the EVMs. Why is there such hasty move on the part of the EC if there is no political motive? It is a big question. Questions have risen over the use of the EVMs in the neighboring India. Some political parties including Congress have opposed to the use of the EVMs. No other party barring the ruling one is in favor of the EVMs. Based on an interview by Ashiq Rahman, translated by Hossen Sohel