<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal  has said that there is no opportunity for a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held in January, 2024.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this while speaking to the reporters after exchanging views with the government officials at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patuakhali.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “BNP has been repeatedly requested to participate in the upcoming elections. But they always rejected our request.”</div><div><br></div><div>BNP is adamant in demanding a non-partisan caretaker government and restructuring of the Election Commission, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“In this case, there is no chance of a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, by-elections to the five vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs will be held with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), he said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the EC currently does not have necessary fund for installing CCTV cameras in polling centres in these by-elections, the CEC added.</div><div><br></div><div>At present, the Election Commission has the capacity of holding elections with EVMs in 50 to 60 seats. Financial allocation has been sought from the government to purchase more EVMs, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the allocation, the commission is planning to buy new machines and hold elections with EVMs in 150 seats in the next parliamentary elections, he added.</div><div>The CEC said some EVMs have been out of service due to lack of proper maintenance. A project has been submitted to the government for their proper conservation of EVMs, and the project proposal is now with the Planning Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the project is approved, it will be possible to properly maintain the EVMs. This will save the country's money,” said the CEC.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>