EC drafts national election roadmap without EVM Report in Dhaka Tribune, May 23, 2017 at 09:51 PM Prioritising seven issues, the Election Commission has announced a draft roadmap for the next general election without any mention of electronic voting machine (EVM) or digital voting machine (DVM). Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda made the announcement at his office in Dhaka on Tuesday, reports Bangla Tribune. The roadmap consists of seven points including constituency boundary re-demarcation, review of the electoral law, update of the voter list, new voter registration, enhancement of EC’s power at vote centre and ensuring level playing field for all. He later said the roadmap will be finalised within 15 days. When asked about using EVM or DVM in the polls, the CEC said: “Our roadmap or work plan does not include this matter. But, during our talks with political parties, we will discuss the issue. We will discuss the pros and cons of the matter then. If they [political parties] agree on this, a decision on using EVM will be taken. We will not take any risk regarding this without the consent of the political parties.” Detailing the draft roadmap, Nurul Huda said: “We will start dialogues with political parties at the end of July. Our talks will continue till November. Other than the parties, we will also hold talks with the people concerned.” Asked if the constitutional body is ready for the national election if held in advance, the EC chief said they are all set for general polls to be held any time. “Even if the polls are held in advance, we will get at least 90 days. We will be able to take all kinds of preparations by this time,” he said. Before the announcement, Nurul Huda had chaired a meeting with election commissioners Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury and the commission’s Additional Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman. http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/05/23/ec-election-roadmap-evm/