Shajahan in favour of EVM for credible polls

MADARIPUR, Sep 02 (BSS): Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said on Sunday the Election Commission (EC) has decided to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 100 electoral constituencies aiming to ensure a transparent, credible and acceptable national election.

"The EC used EVMs successfully in several local government elections. So now it plans to use EVMs in 100 electoral constituencies in next general election," he told newsmen after attending the first preparatory meeting of Joy Bangla Utshab at Madaripur Circuit House.

The minister said once many people could not even put seal on ballot papers, but now they can easily do it, adding "if EVM system is introduced once, I am sure that countrymen, of course, will be accustomed to using it gradually."

Labeling BNP as a conspirator, he also said Awami League (AL) always comes to power by the ballots of countrymen, but BNP at all times grabs power through palace conspiracy.

"We only depend on the people's verdict to go to power, not depend on any conspiracy," he added.

The conspiracies hatched by BNP will not affect next polls, he said, adding that Awami League taking people will face all conspiracies and eliminate every evil designs to thwart election.

He also said the EC's decision of using EVM in next general election is final.

District Council Chairman Miazuddin Khan, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Wahidul Islam, Superintendent of Police Subrata Kumar Haldar, former municipal Mayor Nurul Alam Babu Chowdhury and District Bar Association President Advocate Obaidur Rahman Kalu Khan, among others, were present on the occasion.