Thread by @seshanm

#NoBudgetForEVMs
"Due to the non-availability of funds for the purchase of EVMs, the uncertainty of getting Tk1,200 crore needed to repair the existing EVMs, and objection from most of the political parties,
tbsnews.net/bangladesh/no-…

the commission may have changed its decision on EVMs," said EC Secretary
Jahangir Alam after a meeting of the EC on Monday."

"Regarding not using EVMs, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told TBS, "We demanded use of EVMs because casting votes with ballots

and counting those take a lot of time. Besides, there are examples of miscreants taking over ballot boxes and casting fake votes. There is no chance of these if EVMs are used"

"At first, the commission proposed a project for the purchase of two lakh EVMs at Tk8,711.44 crore. The government, however, did not approve it considering the financial situation of the country."

"Then, the commission planned to use the existing 1.5 lakh EVMs in

70-75 seats but 40,000 of those are unusable due to improper maintenance. The remaining 1.1 lakh EVMs also need to be repaired, which needs Tk1,260 crore. The commission sent a letter to the finance ministry in this regard but no fund was given."
.

So lack of funds for #EVMs had more to do with the decision to use paper ballots, not so much the objections from opposition parties which has always been there.

This the cunning @pbhushan1 will not say while eulogising Bangladesh.

@ECISVEEP

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