DHAKA, Sept 28, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan today said the place or the number of ballot sheets printed does not affect the fairness of the election as the ballots undergo multiple steps to become fully ready for voting.

“Though a portion of the DUCSU election ballot papers was initially printed at Nilkhet, they were ultimately made usable through a five-step security process at the authorised institution,” he said at a press conference at the university’s Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom.

Professor Niaz said, “The process of preparing ballots included printing and cutting ballots to exact measurements, assigning security codes, pre-scanning them using OMR machines, and obtaining the signatures and seals of the Chief Returning Officer and the relevant returning officers to make them fit for voting.”

“This complex security process cannot be completed at a shop in Nilkhet. Only the initial printing work was done there; the final procedures were carried out at the vendor’s office,” he added.

The VC said an experienced institution was entrusted with printing the ballots for the election. Due to the record number of voters and candidates, a supporting institution was engaged under the tender alongside the main vendor to expedite ballot preparation.

“A total of 239,244 ballots were prepared for voting. Out of 39,874 registered voters, each with six ballots, 29,821 cast votes. A total of 178,926 ballots were used, leaving 60,318 unused,” said the VC.

However, he said the supporting vendor did not inform the university authorities about the printing of 88,000 ballots of the DUCSU election at Nilkhet.  The vendor was show-caused and later issued an apology explaining the matter.

Regarding candidates’ complaints, the VC said any candidate wishing to review CCTV footage or specific events may do so through proper application, in the presence of experts or designated authorities. Similarly, voter-signed lists can be inspected under the same regulated procedure.

“If candidates submit proper applications specifying the issues, they can observe the CCTV footage and the voter-signed list. This will be done in the presence of experts nominated by the authorities,” he said.

Pro-VC (Administration) Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha, Pro-VC (Academic) Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, Chief Returning Officer Professor Jasim Uddin, Returning Officer Professor Golam Rabbani, and Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed were also present at the press conference.