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Published : 15 Oct 2025, 01:25 PM
Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) Chief Election Commissioner Monir Uddin has said locally available ink -- instead of imported election ink -- is being used to marking voters’ fingers, but assured that this would not cause any issues in verifying voter identity.
After voting began in the CUCSU election, several panels, including those of the Chhatra Dal and Droho Parishad, alleged that the ink being used was erasable.
Responding to queries, the CEC said: “We faced a limitation. From the Election Commission to shops in Chawk Bazar, we searched everywhere for election ink, but could not find it.
“The Election Commission imports its indelible ink from Germany before each national election. After the election, the remaining ink must be destroyed — that’s part of the official election protocol. Hence, we had no access to that ink.”
The same issue arose at Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University, he said, adding that they had to make do with what was available locally.
Monir noted that for an educated community, this should not be a major issue, as no one can cast a vote on behalf of another person.
He described the ink issue as a “national limitation”, explaining that better quality ink is not available in the country. “Even without election ink, the voting process would continue smoothly since voter identity is verified through voter ID cards and photo-attached lists.”
All necessary precautionary measures have been taken to ensure a fair election, he said, stating that any shortcomings were not the fault of the commission but a reflection of broader realities.
He further explained that voter identities had already been verified by their ID numbers and photo voter lists. Polling agents were responsible for confirming that each person entering the booth matched the image and name on the list.
“As a result, the use of indelible ink was no longer considered mandatory.”
12 UNSIGNED BALLOTS
Addressing allegations of 12 unsigned ballot papers found in the IT Faculty ballot box, the CEC said the returning officer had admitted that he had forgotten to sign those at the start of polling.
“I have now decided that a formal resolution will be made. It will be noted that there are 12 unsigned ballots in those boxes, and the polling, returning, and presiding officers will sign the resolution. When the boxes are verified later, everyone will know which 12 votes lacked signatures, eliminating confusion.”
HOW LONG WILL VOTING LAST?
The CEC stated that voting would continue until all voters in the polling area by 4pm cast their ballots, regardless of how slow the process might be.
Asked about the 30-minute delay in starting the polls, he said: “That’s not really a delay. In many centres, voting began on time. Some started a bit late due to preparations, transport, and other logistical issues.”
ACTION AGAINST OUTSIDERS
Candidates from Islami Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Dal alleged that outsiders entered the campus on election day.
Monir dismissed the claim, saying: “We wouldn’t call them outsiders. We issued observation cards for those monitoring the election. The rest are legitimate university students who entered with valid cards.”
“However, if anyone without authorised cards or ID is found to have entered, we will take legal action. So far, we have not received any verified reports of such incidents,” he added.
