Bangladesh
Unused voting machines deepen Bangladesh’s e-waste problem
Transparency International Bangladesh says about 150,000 discarded electronic voting machines remain stored across 41 districts without clear disposal responsibility. The watchdog warns that weak enforcement leaves hazardous materials and public funds at risk.
এই খবরটি আপাতত ইংরেজিতে পড়ুন
From 15 October 2026 — Daily Brief
About 150,000 unused electronic voting machines are creating environmental, health and financial risks because Bangladesh lacks a clear plan for their disposal, Transparency International Bangladesh has warned.
The machines are stored in 41 districts after electronic voting was removed from the electoral framework. TIB said responsibility for ownership, storage and disposal remains unclear, while the Election Commission continues to pay rent for some storage sites.
The devices contain circuit boards, displays, plastics and metals that can release hazardous substances if burned or dismantled informally. TIB has previously cautioned that uncontrolled incineration could contaminate air, soil and water.
The wider problem extends beyond election equipment. More than 90 per cent of electronic waste is handled by informal workers who often lack protective equipment, formal recognition and safe recycling facilities. At the same time, valuable metals that could be recovered are frequently lost.
Government officials said they intended to promote reduction, reuse and recycling, and to establish processing hubs for hazardous and reusable materials. The EVM stock is a test of whether Bangladesh can translate its 2021 e-waste rules into accountable practice, with a documented chain of custody and disposal method.