EVMs to be used in last three phases of UZ polls

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in the last three phases of the upazila elections.

“The upazila elections will be held in five phases. The EC has decided to use EVMs in sadar upazilas from the third phase and the machines will not be used in the first two phases,” said Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed while speaking at a press briefing after the EC’s meeting with law enforcement agencies at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka today, reports BSS.

Earlier, the EC planned to use EVMs in all sadar upazilas across the country, he said, adding that but enactment of rules in this regard has been delayed.

Now the EC has reviewed its plan and decided to use the machines in the last three phases, he added.

According to the election schedules, election will be held in 87 upazilas on March 10 in the first phase, 129 upazilas on March 18 in the second phase and 127 upazilas on March 24 in the third phase.

Replying to a question, Helaluddin Ahmed said the EC will not us EVMs in the by-election to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), which will be held on February 28.

Election to mayoral post of DNCC and councillor posts of 36 new wards – 18 in DNCC and 18 in DSCC – will be held on February 28.