Most voters favour EVM

The Narayanganj City Corporation election has brought a change in the mindset of voters in favour of the electronic voting machines, says a survey report.
The survey report of an election observer group reveals that after the election around 82 percent voters were of the opinion that the machines were safe for casting votes. However, only 51 percent of them had that belief before the election.
A staggering 85 percent said they felt more comfortable voting with the machines than with ballot papers. They claimed that casting votes with the machines were easy, took them less time and the counting was easily done too.
Brotee, an election observer group, conducted the survey among 700 people who voted at 41 centres of nine wards in Narayanganj where the machines were used.
The organisations collected the data in nine days before and after the polls and on the election day.
Sharmeen Murshid, chief executive officer of Brotee, disclosed the primary results of the survey at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.
According to the results, only seven percent voters were against the use of the machines while 11 percent voters did not answer directly. Twelve percent voters were against the use of the machines before the election.
Sharmeen said they also believe use of the machines can help hold a fair and free election.
The organisation recommended more campaign and training for voters to familiarise them with the machines.
It said the election was largely free, fair and neutral and there was no interference by the government when the law enforcers played a neutral role. The observers did not find any information on violence before and after the polls.