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EC mulls e-voting

SHAKHAWAT LITON
The Election Commission (EC) ponders introduction of the electronic voting system (EVS).
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Sayed yesterday told The Daily Star the EC wants to introduce the system by phases.
"We will study more about the
electronic system. If necessary, we will visit India to enrich our knowledge," said the CEC.
The EC also decided to hold meeting with political parties to know about their views on the EVS, he added.
The EC yesterday held a meeting with the Electronic Corporation of
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India Limited (ECIL), which offered to introduce the electronic voting system in Bangladesh. GR Koteswara Rao, senior deputy general manager of the ECIL, explained functions of the system to the EC officials.
"Using a single machine, at least 2,500 voters will be able to cast their votes within 8 hours. If introduced, it would save huge costs involved in traditional system for papers, printing, transportation, storage and distribution," Rao told the EC officials.
"Besides, the vote counting is done very quickly; literally by pressing a button. And the result can be declared within 2-3 hours whereas 30-40 hours are required under the conventional system."
Rao said the voting machines of his company are sold for Tk 14,000.
The EC discussed the possibility of tagging a local company with the ECIL to manufacture voting machines.
The CEC told The Daily Star that they would thoroughly review the proposal after gathering information from different countries with such system.
"If it is feasible for our country, we will prepare a project proposal and then try to introduce this system phase by phase. We may first introduce an electronic voting system in a Union Parishad or Pourshava or by-election. Then we will introduce it for the national election," said the CEC.
MA Sayed presided over yesterday's meeting at his office where Election Commissioners Safiur Rahman, MM Munsef Ali, AK Mohammod Ali and other top officials were present.