No EVM voting if evidence of rigging is found: Commissioner Alamgir

Election Commissioner Md Alamgir yesterday said if there is any proof of any kind of rigging, there will be no voting by electronic voting machines (EVMs).

"We reviewed and found most of the negotiators were in favour of EVMs," Alamgir told reporters at the Election Commission building.

On Sunday, SHUJAN General Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said, "The Election Commission says there is no scope for tampering with EVMs, but the EVM technology has technical flaws, and there are problems. There are concerns about the reliability of elections and EVM technology. It is a weak device and there are also questions about its credibility."

Responding to another question from reporters, Election Commissioner Alamgir yesterday said they had taken into account those who discussed and gave opinions on EVMs. The BNP did not even come to the discussions, he said.

Asked about polling on separate days, he said polling on multiple days was difficult in Bangladesh. However, there was no obstacle in the law, he said. 

"Our country has a system of holding elections on multiple days in the People's Representation Order," he said.

"But usually elections are not held on more than one day here... If we do it on more than one day, there will be various complications. If 10 more disadvantages are created to make one advantage, that approach is not right to adopt," he added.

On the question of BNP's participation in the elections, the election commissioner said any party had a democratic right not to participate in the elections. 

"We cannot interfere with that right. They have to come to us and tell us what kind of cooperation they want. But they should seek the sort of co-operation that is within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission," said Md Alamgir.

Regarding the deployment of armed forces in the 12th National Assembly elections, he said the armed forces would be a striking force in specific areas during the elections. 

"They will patrol. And importantly, we take a report of potential vulnerable centres from various sources before elections. We give that list to RAB, BGB, and Army. They review and decide where the army, the RAB, and the BGB will be needed," said the election commission.

He also said the deployment of army and judicial powers did not cover other laws of the country. In this case, the basic law should be changed, he added.

The roadmap will be published next week and detailed plans will be there, said Alamgir.

Jamaat has no chance to be listed under a different name

The process of registration of new political parties by the Election Commission is ongoing. In response to a question about Jamaat-e-Islam's losing its registration, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said, "Even if they come under different names, they have no chance to be enrolled."

In 2013, the High Court declared the registration of Jamaat-e-Islam illegal and the Election Commission canceled the party's registration. 

There are rumours that the AB Party, a breakaway party from Jamaat, is going to apply to the EC for registration.

Alamgir said, "Though in a different name, the thing is the same. If the constitution of the party is inconsistent with our constitution, then they have no chance".