Shibir-backed GS candidate alleges extra ballots at polling centres

Mazharul Islam, the General Secretary (GS) candidate of the Chhatra Shibir-backed Combined Student Alliance panel in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections, has alleged that polling centers were supplied with more ballot papers than the number of registered voters.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at the 10 Number Hall on Thursday morning (11 September), Mazharul Islam said, “Small errors by the election commission are now having a significant impact. In some polling centers, for example, where there are 522 registered voters, 600 ballots were provided. In another center with 390 voters, 400 ballots were given. We had previously raised concerns that extra ballots could be problematic and compromise transparency, and requested that no extra ballots be supplied. However, we see that every residential hall has received additional ballots. There is no explanation or guidance from the commission regarding this.”

He added, “It is deeply regrettable that the election commissioners, who are supposed to ensure the transparency of the election, have yet to play an adequate role. We hope the doubts regarding polling agents will be resolved quickly. Providing extra ballots at polling centers, which raises the risk of manipulation, is absolutely unacceptable.”