EVM demo begins in Khulna
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday started public demonstration of electronic voting machines (EVM) at four centres of ward 22 under Khulna City Corporation.
The demonstration will continue till December 12 to create voter awareness on EVM as the machine will be used to cast votes in all 157 polling centres of Khulna-2 (Sadar and Sonadanga) constituency during this year's national polls. A total of 720 booths will be equipped with EVM in the Khulna-2 constituency.
Satkhira-2 (Sadar) is the second constituency in Khulna division where EVM will be used in its 178 centres.
Helal Hossain, returning officer and district magistrate of Khulna, said nine EVM experts will display and explain functions of the EVM to audience at the four centres [every day] from 10:00 am to 5:00pm till December 12.
“Voters shouldn't worry about the EVM since it's really easy [to use] and takes only 20 to 25 seconds for a person to cast vote on it,” he said.
Mazharul Islam, senior district election officer and assistant returning officer, said the EC primarily selected four centres -- Khulna Zila School, Pioneer Girls' High School, Abu Hanif Karatul Madrasa and Fatima Girls' High School -- in Khulna-2 for the EVM demo.
Demonstrations of the machine will soon be arranged at all other centres in the constituency so voters can get a hands-on experience through mock voting ahead of the elections, he also told The Daily Star.
When asked for his comments on the EVM, Awami League's Khulna city unit Office Secretary Mahbubul Alam Shohag said his party is not against its use at elections. They are keen on seeing the technology introduced to all constituencies in the country.
Anticipating that a small number of people, who are unable to read or write, might have difficulty in casting vote on the EVM, the AL leader said, “Several of such voters have already expressed their concerns and uninterest regarding the EVM, saying that they were feeling reluctant to go to polling stations because of the EVM.”
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