The Election Commission has introduced a new measure to ensure transparency in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) and Hall Union elections. This time, the candidates themselves will choose the vote-counting machines.
Allegations of bias surrounding the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines had surfaced in the Ducsu and Jucsu elections.
To prevent similar complaints in the Cucsu election, multiple companies’ OMR machines will be presented to the candidates, and their opinions will be taken into account, with written documentation of the process.
Confirming the matter, Cucsu Election Commission Secretary AKM Ariful Haque Siddique told TIMES of Bangladesh, “We will take every possible step to ensure the election’s transparency. The final decision will be based on the candidates’ feedback.”
Candidates have expressed their support for the initiative. JCD’s General Secretary candidate Muhammad Shafayat Hossain said, “We will request manual vote counting. However, if the commission decides based on everyone’s opinions, we will commend the decision.”
VP candidate from the Sampreetir Shikkharthi Jote, Ibrahim Roni, praised the commission’s step, saying, “This is a good initiative for ensuring a fair and impartial election.”
The OMR machines used in most of the world are supplied by China’s Nanhao Information Industry Co, while OnnoRokom Software Ltd works locally with modern OMR technology. IT Consultants Ltd is involved in providing electoral IT solutions.
Experts believe that using these technologies can ensure quick and accurate results for university elections and other exams.
Female participation 11.2%, no VP candidates
Participation of female candidates in the Cucsu elections remains relatively low. Out of the 429 central candidates, only 48 are women, making up just 11.2%.
Among them, one candidate each is running for positions such as General Secretary, Office Secretary, Assistant Office Secretary, Assistant Sports and Cultural Secretary, Science and Technology Secretary, Liberation War and Democratic Movements Secretary, Law and Human Rights Secretary, Career Development and International Affairs Secretary.
Other positions have more than one female candidate, such as Joint General Secretary, Communication and Accommodation Secretary, Social Welfare and Environment Secretary, Assistant Literary, Cultural and Publication Secretary (two candidates each), and Student Welfare Secretary (12 candidates).
Election schedule, candidate details
As per the Election Commission’s schedule, the nomination papers were scrutinised on Sunday, and the preliminary candidate list was published on Monday.
The last date for withdrawal of nominations is 23 September at 3:30pm, and the final list will be announced on 25 September. Voting will take place on 12 October from 9am to 4pm.
A total of 1,164 nomination forms were collected for both the central and hall unions, with 931 forms submitted. Of these, 429 nominations were accepted for the central union. The preliminary list published on Monday includes 412 valid candidates, with 23 for the VP post and 21 each for the GS and AGS posts.
The total voter count for the Chittagong University elections is 27,637. The campus is abuzz with election fervour, as at least 12 panels, including JCD and student wings of Jamaat, have announced their candidates. The last Cucsu election was held on 8 November 1990.
