24 municipalities go to polls with EVMs

Twenty-four municipalities will go to polls today using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) amid confusion among voters about uses of the machines.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Election Commission (EC) will conduct municipalities' polls in four phases this time. Today will be the first phase.

The battle of ballots is expected to be held between two arch-rival political parties -- Awami League and BNP -- although candidates of other political parties including Jatiya Party and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are contesting in it.

Mohammad Alamgir, senior secretary to the EC, told The Daily Star, "We have completed our preparations and believe that voting will be held peacefully."

The EC has also taken measures to prevent any kind of violence during and after the elections, he added.

Asked about the risks of holding polls during Covid-19 pandemic, he said health measures would be strictly followed.

Hand washing and sanitising facilities will be available at the poll centres, he added.

EC Joint Secretary Asaduzzaman Arzu said there was no scope of confusion regarding the uses of EVM as the commission held mock voting and massive campaigns at the municipalities.

A total of 6.25 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes at those 24 municipalities in 22 districts, according to the EC.

A total of 93 mayor aspirants are contesting for the 24 posts, while 801 councillor candidates for 216 posts and 266 candidates for 72 women's reserve seats, as per the EC.

The 24 municipalities are: Panchagarh of Panchagarh, Pirganj of Thakurgaon, Phulbari of Dinajpur, Badarganj of Rangpur, Kurigram of Kurigram, Puthia and Katakhali of Rajshahi, Shahjadpur of Sirajganj, Chatmohor of Pabna, Kokhsha of Kushtia, Chuadanga of Chuadanga, Chalna of Khulna, Betagi of Barguna, Kuakata of Patuakhali, Ujirpur and Bakerganj of Barishal, Gafargoan of Mymensingh, Madan of Netrakona, Dhamrai of Dhaka, Dirai of Sunanganj, Borolekha of Moulvibazar, Sayestaganj of Habiganj, and Sitakunda of Chhattogram.

Our correspondent in Moulvibazar reported that many voters of Borolekha were confused about how to cast their votes in EVM.

Seeking anonymity, a senior voter of Hatbanda area of the municipality said, there are many problems with voting.

"This time I have to vote using the machine. I hear many things about voting through the machine. Wherever we put pressure, it will go to only one brand. If this is true then it is a matter of concern."

Our correspondent in Kushtia reported that many voters in Khoksa municipality were also confused.

One such voter Muktar Hossain, of Thanapara area of Khoksa municipality, said the new system was difficult for him to understand.

BNP candidate Nafiz Ahmed Khan Raju said he could not campaign at the beginning but at the end he carried out his campaigns.

He was optimistic about winning if the vote in EVM was not rigged.

Awami League candidate Lecturer Tariqul Islam said EVM means peaceful voting. He hopes to win again considering the development works he has done.

According to Local Government Division, there are 329 municipalities in the country. The EC will hold elections to 224 municipalities. Tenures of these municipalities will expire by March 2021.

A total of 62 municipalities will go for vote in the second phase on January 15. And 64 municipalities will go for voting in third phase on January 30. Fourth phase of the election is likely to be held in mid-February.