Backtracking from earlier decision of holding elections to maximum 70 seats using electronic voting machines, the Election Commission on Monday announced that it would hold the next general election completely using paper ballots.
The EC took the decision at a meeting, chaired by chief election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, EC secretary Jahangir Alam told reporters at a news briefing.
The meeting was held at Nirbachan Bhaban.
On August 23, the EC decided to use EVMs instead of traditional ballot papers in maximum of 150 constituencies in the next general election — likely to be held early next year.
On September 19 last year, the Election Commission approved a Tk 8,711 crore project to procure electronic voting machines for 150 constituencies, out of 300, for the 12th parliamentary election.
The decision received strong opposition from BNP and its allies, who did not join talks with the CEC that continued throughout the month of July.
However, the ruling Awami League welcomed the decision as it was their demand to use EVMs in all 300 seats in the next election.
On January 23, this year the government decided not to proceed with purchasing 2 lakh electronic voting machines citing the global economic recession.
