Ballot numbers or printing location cannot affect poll integrity: DU VC

Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan has said that the number or location of ballot papers printing cannot influence the integrity of an election.

He made the remarks at a press conference on Sunday (September 28), addressing various allegations surrounding the recent DUCSU (Dhaka University Central Students' Union) election.

Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan confirmed that 88,000 ballot papers for the election were printed at a market in Nilkhet, near the university. He explained that the ballots were printed by an authorised vendor in compliance with all regulations, with the decision made to expedite the printing process. However, due to time constraints, the university administration was not informed in advance about the location of printing.

The Vice-Chancellor further explained that the university had held the printing vendor accountable for this matter. According to the vendor, 88,000 ballots were printed using 22 reams of paper at Nilkhet. After printing, cutting, and pre-scanning processes, 86,243 ballots were sealed and ready for distribution, with excess ballots destroyed following standard procedures.

He stated that, in total, 239,244 ballots were prepared for the election. With 39,874 voters eligible to cast their vote, each voter received six ballots. A total of 29,821 votes were cast, using 178,926 ballots, leaving 60,318 unused ballots.

Addressing the 48 complaints filed during the election, the Vice-Chancellor confirmed that all complaints had been resolved. He also reiterated the availability of CCTV footage for review, noting that any candidate wishing to examine specific footage or voter signatures could formally request to do so in the presence of appointed experts.

The Vice-Chancellor concluded by stating that the university had consulted with legal experts regarding the display of signed voter lists. If candidates have valid and specific reasons for reviewing individual signatures, they can make a formal request, following the prescribed procedures.