Amidst the backdrop of Bangladesh’s recent elections, a staggering loss of 110,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs) out of a total of 150,000 sparked widespread concern.
The malfunctioning machines, valued at nearly 33+ Million Dollars, with an additional 40,000 still at risk of failure, have raised significant questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite the substantial investment in these devices, which were intended to modernize and streamline the voting system, their lifespan has been significantly shorter than anticipated, with most becoming inoperable within just five years, despite an expected lifespan of ten years.
This alarming situation has prompted discussions about the feasibility and reliability of domestically produced EVMs.
Professor Sohrab Hossein, a faculty member in the Computer Science and Electronics Department at BUET, highlights the potential advantages of locally manufactured machines, citing cost savings of up to 50-60% compared to imported alternatives, as well as the opportunity for enhanced oversight and maintenance protocols.
The implications of this EVM crisis extend beyond financial losses, touching upon fundamental issues of democratic governance and public trust.
As the Election Commission and stakeholders grapple with the fallout from this debacle, urgent reforms and investment in robust, reliable voting technology are imperative to safeguard the integrity of future electoral processes.
