Probe underway over Tk3,825cr EVM project: Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (27 April) said in parliament that objections have been raised during an audit over the procurement of 150,000 EVM machines with a cost of Tk3,825.34 crore during the Awami fascist government's tenure, which are yet to be resolved, while an investigation is also underway under the Anti-Corruption Commission.

He disclosed the information during the question-and-answer session in parliament, adding that the Election Commission has decided not to use EVMs and the machines are currently being stored in the warehouses of Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory and the basement of the Election Commission Secretariat.

In a written question, Pabna-5 lawmaker Md Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas asked whether the government would investigate the purchase of defective EVM machines during the previous Awami fascist government, which he said resulted in the wastage of public funds despite opposition from political parties.

In response, Mirza Fakhrul said a project was implemented under the Election Commission Secretariat from July 2018 to June 2024 to procure 150,000 EVMs at an estimated cost of Tk3,825.34 crore.

He said the machines were procured through the Bangladesh Army under a delegated procurement method. The project was completed in June 2024, and the project completion report (PCR) was sent to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division on 13 May 2025, but the evaluation report has not yet been received.

He added that various objections have been raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General's office regarding the project during an audit, which remain unresolved, while the Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting an investigation.

The minister further said that at its 8th meeting held on 10 July 2025, the Election Commission decided not to use EVMs in any national or local elections. The machines are now being stored at different warehouses of Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) and the basement of the Election Commission Secretariat.

On the same day, during the question-and-answer session in parliament, independent lawmaker from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumin Farhana asked in a written question whether there is any plan to hold elections at all levels promptly through elected representatives of the people.

In response, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said local government elections are held in phases, adding that past experience shows it takes 10 months to one year to complete elections at all levels in a phased manner.

He said that in announcing election schedules, factors such as preparation of voter lists, procurement of election materials, religious festivals, public examinations, weather conditions, finalisation and renovation of polling centres, and selection and training of election officials must be considered.

He added that at least 45 calendar days are required as a minimum preparatory period before announcing the schedule.