EC wants to buy 84,000 EVMs in first phase

Hasibul Islam Mithun: The Election Commission (EC) wants to use Walkie talkies during the next general election. But it depends on getting donations from China. China earlier had promised to provide donations in the project.

EC secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed on Sunday told risingbd that Walkie talkies will be brought if China government donates. Otherwise, we have no interest to take such project with government funds.

Recently, EC has written a letter to the Finance Ministry to keep Tk 2,052 core in the current fiscal year budget for purchasing 84,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Walkie talkies in the first phase.

Of the estimated amount, Tk 53 core is for tax purpose on Walkie talkie purchase and the rest is for buying EVMs.

About the matter, the secretary said, “China government gives different countries donation for Walkie talkie project. So, we also placed a proposal to China government. If they approve it, we will take the project.”


risingbd/Dhaka/October 14, 2018/Hasibul/A K Azad