OLSA Makes History with Hybrid Election Process
For the first time in the country’s history, the Old Laboratorians’ Association (OLSA) is conducting a hybrid election, combining both online and in-person voting methods. The online voting began on Thursday at 10:30 PM, while the in-person voting is set to officially start on Friday, December 20, at 10:00 AM at the Government Laboratory High School near Dhaka College.
According to the Election Commission, within the first hour of the online voting process, 14% of votes had been cast. By 12:49 AM, the percentage had risen to 25%. Voters residing in Dhaka, as well as various other locations across the country, are participating in the election. To cast their votes online, voters had to register their names beforehand within a designated period. Once voting commenced, registered voters received a link from the Election Commission via email. By clicking the link and verifying their identity with voter numbers, NID, and photographs, they obtained access codes for voting. Following this, they received an OMR ballot where they could tick the box next to their preferred candidate's name. It is estimated that 70% of the total votes will be cast online.
This year’s election features 27 positions, of which two candidates have already been elected unopposed. The remaining 25 positions are being contested by 53 candidates. These include 24 candidates from one panel and 23 from another.
For the position of President, Mosaddeq Azam Siddiqui is competing against Mosud Mannan. For the Information and Communication Secretary post, Enam Elahi Mallik is contesting against Md. Moinus Samad Khan. The five Vice President positions have multiple candidates, including Dostogir Mohammad Adil, Khandaker Kamruzzaman, Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Sayyedur Rahman, Waqar Ahmed Chowdhury, Faruk Ahmed, Mohammad Enamul Haque, Mohammad Shahjalal, Tareq Bhuiyan, and Tanvir Haider Pavel.
For the position of Sports Secretary, Sabbir Ahmed Tushar is contesting against Md. Nuruddin Al Masud. The Cultural Secretary post has two candidates, Safwat Amin Siraj Soumya and Dr. Md. Salehin Sad. For the Social Welfare Secretary position, Ibrahim Ibn Ismail Komol is running against Ahmed Humayun Morshed.
Four candidates are vying for two positions of Joint Secretary, including Masud Parvez, ASM Zillur Rahman, Samiun Nabi, and Syed Mohammad Andalib. For the Office Secretary post, the candidates are Mahmud Al Hasan Talukder (Tamal) and Faisal Kuddus.
The eight Executive Member positions have the highest number of contenders, including Md. Anisul Haque, Md. Harun Or Rashid, Suza Ahmed, Didarul Amin, Mohammad Jahangir Alam Bhuiyan, Rasheduzzaman Khan, Dewan Mohammad Mishkatul Musnad, Moinul Islam Mahin, Sharif Ahmed Shoshi, Adommo Gohin Raj, Iftehadul Islam Fahim, Abedul Muhaimin, Md. Saif Hossain Nion, and Imrul Haque Shaon.
The hybrid election model marks a significant milestone in the association’s history and demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to increasing voter accessibility and participation.
