The 2018 general election in Bangladesh was a special one – this was the first time that the nation used Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in any general election. This was not done on a large scale, though. Only six constituencies – Dhaka-6, Dhaka-13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2 and Satkhira-2 – out of a total of 299 that went to polls used these machines.
Prior to the actual voting process, the Election Commission also held a mock session for voters to educate and acquaint them with the new technology.
While EVMs are used in local elections in Bangladesh, this 11th general election was the first time where they were used in a general election. According to local media reports, the various parts of EVMs were imported and then assembled locally.
Current Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena of the Bangladesh Awami League party is seeking a fourth term. Unfortunately, the campaigning phase and the election itself were marred by violence and allegations of a crackdown on opposition activists and dissenters.
