‘Allegations over EVM use baseless’

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda yesterday said allegations being raised over electronic voting machines (EVM) are “baseless”.

He was addressing a views-exchange meeting with officials of law enforcement agencies in the port city, ahead of by-election to the Chattogram-8 constituency, scheduled to be held on January 13.

“Anyone can raise allegations but we have to see whether they have validity,” said the CEC, adding that there is no scope of vote rigging if the election is held through EVM.

The CEC said propaganda is being spread that presiding officers can cast 25 percent vote through EVM, which is unfounded.

Replying to a query, Huda said adequate number of law enforcers will be deployed to hold the polls peacefully.

Nurul Huda said he was content to see the atmosphere in the constituency. “Officials told me that all candidates are conducting campaigns peacefully,” he said.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Abdul Mannan and Chattogram Election Officer Md Hasanuzzaman were also present at the meeting.

A total of 4,75,988 voters will cast their votes through electronic voting machine, said Election Commission officials.

The constituency fell vacant following the death of lawmaker Moin Uddin Khan Badal on November 7 last year.