The Bangladesh prime minister yesterday said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) should not be imposed hurriedly as the machines need to be introduced on a limited scale in national
elections.
“There’s an EVM system in many countries of the world. I was always and still I’m in favour of it. Yes, this is right it shouldn’t be imposed in hastily as it’s a matter of practice. We’ll have to examine it,” Sheikh Hasina said while addressing a press conference about the outcomes of her just-concluded visit to Nepal for attending the 4th Bimstec summit, in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Hasina said introduction of EVMs is part of the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision as it is a new technology.
“Well, let it (EVM) be used in some places. Let people examine gradually whether there’s any system loss here (with machines),” she said.
Hasina said if any system loss is found in assessment, the EVM use will be cancelled. “This not final words (EVM must be introduced). There’s nothing to raise so much of objections here. Let’s start using the technology on a limited scale.”
Explaining the justification behind the EVM use, Hasina said now people doing their money transactions online, buying sacrificial animals, foodstuff and all other things online.
She said money is the most important thing to people, which they can send online. “If you can trust money transaction online why can’t you trust it (EVM)?”
Hasina said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed her that India developed software so that people can cast their votes using mobile phones from any place across the world. They will not require going to polling stations to exercise their voting rights, she added.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
