Manual Counting Demand Raised Ahead of Jagannath University JCSU Polls

The BNP-backed Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad–supported panel, ‘Oikyoboddho Nirbhik Jobiyan,’ has demanded manual vote counting instead of using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JCSU) and hall council elections.

The demand was raised at an emergency press conference held on Monday afternoon (January 5) under the Rafique Building on the university campus, where candidates of the panel addressed the media.

Speaking at the press conference, Chhatra Dal–backed vice-presidential candidate AKM Rakib said that vote counting through OMR machines could involve technical glitches and raise transparency concerns. To ensure neutrality and credibility in the election, the panel is therefore calling for ballot papers to be counted manually. General Secretary candidate Khadijatul Kubra and Assistant General Secretary candidate BM Atikur Rahman Tanjil, along with other candidates, were also present.

Responding to the demand, Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim said the administration is fully prepared to ensure a transparent, neutral, and festive election environment. He assured that 100 percent transparency can be maintained through OMR-based vote counting.

According to Election Commission sources, a total of 38 polling centres have been set up for the JCSU election, while one centre has been designated for the lone hall council election at Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. A total of 16,645 voters will cast their ballots in the central students’ union election, while 1,242 students will vote in the hall council election. Voting will take place uninterrupted from 8:30am to 3:00pm on Tuesday.

Notably, the JCSU election was originally scheduled for December 30 but was postponed by the university syndicate due to state mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Under the revised schedule, the election will be held tomorrow, Tuesday (January 6).

The university administration has announced that all classes and examinations will remain suspended on election day, while official administrative activities will continue as usual.

DBTech/BTO/MUM/OR