The next general election will be held by January 29, 2024 using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 150 constituencies out of 300 across the country, according to a roadmap published by the Election Commission.

This was revealed at a function held at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban on Wednesday.

"17 parties out of 29 ones who participated in the recent dialogue gave their opinion in favour of using of EVM while 12 of them voted against it. The Commission thinks that it will be rational to use EVM as most of the political parties want it. The use of EVM in 150 constituencies will be rational for balancing the opinion of all parties, "said Election Commissioner Md Ahsan Habib.

He delivered the keynote speech as the chief guest in the absence of the CEC.

Ahsan also said the election has to be held by January 24,2024 as per the constitution.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal could not attend the event due to illness but four other Election Commissioners along with senior EC officials were present.

The roadmap includes the challenges of holding a fair election, what the EC should do to deal with those, review the activities of the political parties, increasing the use of technology in election.

The EC said that no one has been able to provide proof of EVM rigging in all the elections that have taken place so far.

Setting parliamentary constituencies boundaries :
The roadmap says that a new policy will be made in January, 2023 to redefine the boundaries of the parliamentary constituencies. On the basis of which the Geographical Information System will be discussed with the relevant institutions and experts and the draft of the constituencies will be published in March, 2023. The revised delimitation of 300 constituencies will be gazetted in June after objections to the draft are settled in May