EC's smart app features centre-based vote count, results, directions
“With this app, anyone from around the world will be able to know the latest updates of the election,” said the CEC
For the first time in Bangladesh, voters at the 12th general elections will be able to track centre-based vote count every two hours and find their polling centres seamlessly with the "Smart Election Management BD" app, introduced by the Election Commission in November last year.
Regarding the functionality of the app, Muhammad Ashraful Hossain, the Election Commission's system manager, said, "Our app features an interactive map to guide voters to their designated voting booths. It also features real-time vote updates every two hours, candidate profiles, and other electoral information."
The app is available on Google Play Store (for Android devices) and App Store (for iPhones) for download and installation on smartphones, he added.
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After installing the app, users will have to choose their language and input details such as date of birth and NID number. Once it is set up, voters' voting numbers and polling centre details, including location, will appear on the app. It will be able to guide voters to find their centres by the use of Google Maps.
The app offers detailed candidate profiles, including affidavits, financial disclosures, and more, in the interest of informed voting. It also offers voter statistics, a list of registered political parties taking part in the polls, and official pronouncements from the EC.
The app also has a "Results" tab, which currently displays the results of the previous 2018 parliamentary elections.
Though the app offers two-hourly vote counts at each centre, the national total will be available through other sources.
About this limitation, EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said on 1 January that roughly 20% of polling stations in the country still lack network access.
"While we strive for comprehensive data, geographical challenges in certain hilly and remote areas, like Manpura, may cause slight discrepancies in vote percentages due to potential delays in sending results. To bridge this gap, we're exploring the use of BGB's secure police wireless network in these areas," he added.
On 4 January, Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal stated that the smart app was introduced to ensure credibility and transparency in the national elections.
"With this app, anyone from around the world will be able to know the latest election updates," said the CEC
