Dhaka, July 4 (V7N) – The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has formally announced that it will no longer use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in upcoming local government elections, marking a significant shift in electoral policy. The change was confirmed in the newly published Local Government Election Center Establishment and Management Policy 2025, released on the EC’s official website on Thursday.

According to the gazette, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Dewan Md. Sarwar Jahan on June 26, the commission has also introduced structural changes to the management of polling stations. The authority to set up voting centers has now been delegated exclusively to Election Commission officials—replacing the previous system that involved committees led by district commissioners and police superintendents.

Bangladesh began experimenting with EVMs in June 2010 during the Chittagong City Corporation elections, with technical support from BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology). Following this, the EC gradually expanded EVM usage, including limited deployment in the 2014 national elections and in six constituencies during the 2018 general elections.

In anticipation of the 11th parliamentary election, the EC rushed to procure 150,000 EVMs at significant public expense. However, within five years, around 120,000 of those machines became non-functional. Attempts by the EC to launch a new repair and maintenance project were later blocked by the then-government. Earlier this year, the Election Commission officially canceled the EVM project.

Allegations of irregularities and technical failures surrounding EVM usage have led to investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC has summoned three senior EC officials to provide explanations regarding procurement and project management.

In line with these developments, the EC had already removed EVM provisions from the legal framework of national parliamentary elections. The same approach has now been adopted for local government polls. Notably, the provision introduced in the 2023 policy to set up separate rooms for EVM voting has been omitted in the 2025 guidelines.

Analysts say the decision reflects growing concerns over transparency, logistical challenges, and public trust in the voting process. The move may signal a broader return to traditional ballot-based elections across all tiers of governance in Bangladesh.

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