EC proposes RPO amendment on using EVM in gen election

The Election Commission (EC) has decided to bring amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972 with keeping provision of using EVM (electronic voting machine) in the general election.

“We have finalized the proposal to bring amendment to the RPO with keeping provision of using EVM in the general election,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda told newsmen today after coming out of a meeting on RPO amendment held at Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon, BSS reported.

“The proposal would be sent to the Law Ministry and the ministry would place it before the parliament upon completion of its necessary procedure and the parliament would enact the law,” he also said.

Replying to a query about the use of EVM in upcoming general election, he said, “The commission is yet to decide on the use EVM in the election. But, we will take the decision regarding the use of EVM in the election if the environment and situation favour the use of EVM.”

“The EC will organize an exposition on the usage of EVM with participation of all the stakeholders and take their opinions in this regard,” he said, adding that if majority of them favour the usage of EVM in the election then the commission will take decision to this end.

If the law is passed keeping the provision of using EVM in the general election, the EC will face no trouble in using EVM in the next polls if it decides to use the new electronic device, he continued.

Asked about one of the EC commissioners Mahbub Talukdar’s disagreement on amendment to the RPO on usage of EVM in the next election, the CEC said, “One of the five election commissioners has shown his disagreement over amendment to the RPO. But, we four others have agreed to this end”.

EC Commissioners, Md. Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam, and Brigadier General Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury (retd.) were present at the meeting.

Earlier on August 26, the EC had held a meeting to take decision in bringing amendment to the RPO.