RAJSHAHI – Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the Election Commission (EC) has attached top priority of ensuring safe and secured atmosphere for women so that they can cast their votes smoothly in the upcoming 11th parliamentary elections.
“Half of the voters are female. EC is committed to give them the scope of exercising their right of franchise spontaneously,” he further said while addressing a workshop here today as chief guest.
Rajshahi Regional Election Office organised the workshop titled “Awareness Raising on Women’s Participation, Safety and Security in Elections” at Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the city.
“Democracy cannot be strengthened without integrated efforts, keeping women aside. The opportunity of electing women as representatives of people has to be expanded. The EC is working in this regard,” Election Commissioner Islam added.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Nur-Ur-Rahman and Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer SM Abdul Kader also spoke.
Rafiqul Islam told the meeting that the EC has completed almost everything and instructed members of the law enforcing agencies to create an undisturbed environment for all voters, including female voters.
He said the EC is maintaining toughness to create a congenial environment for casting votes by all voters. The Election Commissioner also said the electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are being used to stop vote-rigging.
“We want to curtail the use of paper to protect trees in the country,” he said adding that the ballot papers and other related papers and documents are prepared through destroying crores of trees.
“We cannot turn the earth into ineligible of habitat. So, we have brought EVM to people,” he added. “We are working hard to earn confidence and satisfaction of voters in order to attaining satisfaction of political parties,” EC Rafiqul Islam added.
He further said that EVMs are very easy to use, and a voter can use his or her NID card number and fingerprint to use the machine if they do not have a smart card. Since introduction in 2010, EVMs have thus far been used in different local government elections only.
