emergency press conference on Ducsu ballot printing allegations

The university held an emergency press conference to address allegations about ballot printing locations and quantities for student union elections. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan and Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury clarified that an experienced vendor was selected through competitive tendering to manage the large scale of ballot printing.

The vendor printed 88,000 ballots in Nilkhet but failed to inform the university of this due to oversight. After printing, cutting, and pre-scanning, 86,243 ballots were finalized, with excess destroyed following procedures. Ballots were then packed, sealed, and supplied under strict security measures.

The university emphasized that printing location or quantity does not affect election fairness. Ballots undergo multiple steps—printing, cutting to size, pre-scanning with security codes, and official signing—before voting occurs. A total of 239,244 ballots were prepared for 39,874 voters, with 29,821 casting votes and 178,926 ballots used. The remaining 60,318 ballots remained unused.

Regarding CCTV footage and signed voter lists, candidates can inspect records at designated locations under supervision, following proper procedures and legal advice, ensuring transparency while maintaining security and integrity.