Next general election to be held using ballot papers in all 300 seats: EC secretary

The 12th national election staled for late 2023 or early 2024 will be held using ballot papers and transparent ballot boxes in all 300 constituencies, said Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam.

The decision was taken in the 17th meeting of the Election Commission held at the commission secretariat on Monday with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair.

Replying to a question at Nirbachan Bhaban about the EC's earlier decision on using EVMs in 150 constituencies, the EC secretary said in the roadmap the EC had decided to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at a maximum of 150 constituencies.

Taka 1,260 crore was needed to repair the old EVMs, he said, adding that but the finance ministry expressed its inability to pay that amount.

Moreover, Jahangir Alam said many political parties had a difference of opinion about the use of EVMs in the national elections.