The voting scenario at Begum Rokeya Govt College was different than other polling centres slated for the Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) election yesterday. At this centre, voters cast their votes through the electronic voting machine (EVM).

Six booths were set up under ward 25 of the centre for a total number of 2,059 voters. On their part, the voters expressed their satisfaction over the EVM as balloting went quickly and without any hassle.

“The EVM system is very nice without any trouble. It does not take much time. I think this system should continue in other elections as well,” said Amena Begum, a voter. Echoing the

sentiment, Rebeka Sultana said, “I heard of EVMs earlier and was curious to vote through one. I am very lucky that I have cast my vote through the machine. It is very convenient and saves a lot of time.” The presiding officer of the centre, Ajharul Islam Dulal, said that a total of 1,252 voters had cast their votes through the EVM.

Moreover, the results of the centre were announced within 45 minutes compared to the traditional method of counting votes.  The presiding officer said it was possible to declare the result quickly due to the EVM.

As per the results of the centre, Jatiya Party candidate Mostafizur Rahman with the “plough” symbol won with 674 votes, while his nearest rival, Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu with the “boat” symbol, bagged 334 votes. The BNP candidate, Kawsar Zaman Babla, received 117 votes.

Even till Wednesday, chief election commission (CEC) KM Nurul Huda could not confirm whether the EVM would be used at the centre. But after yesterday’s polls, Nurul Huda expressed support for using EVMs in other elections.

“The EVM was used very carefully at one centre. We did not receive any allegation of technical problems. The voters were also very happy. We have got positive response,” he said.

“EVMs will also be used in future in various local elections. But we don’t have any plan to use them in the general election,” he added.

He also said that the traditional method of holding polls was troublesome. “It would be a great achievement if EVMs can be used by ensuring full security and its acceptability,” he added.

“When EVMs become acceptable to voters, political parties, civil society members, and mass media, we will use them at national elections. So, EVMs should be introduced right now,” he added.

This was, however, not the first instance of the use of EVMs. It was used at a few polling stations during the 2010 Chittagong City Corporation election on a pilot basis. Later, they were used in the Comilla City Corporation polls in 2011.

However, technical glitches were reported with a number of EVMs in Comilla. The machines were also used in Narsingdi municipality by-polls in 2012 and Rajshahi civic election in 2013.