Voting in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JACSU) election is underway peacefully but candidates have expressed concerns over transparency as indelible ink is not being used in most halls.

Many voters said that despite repeated complaints polling officials did not arrange the use of ink to mark voters’ fingers which is commonly used to prevent multiple voting.

Kamrul Hasan, a candidate for the executive member post of a hall committee, said, “Many are mistakenly voting for only one instead of three on the ballot paper as no proper instructions were given. There is no ink, no voter photos, and no monitoring from the administration. We cannot tell who has voted and who hasn’t. I am also worried about security measures.”

Saron Ahsan, general secretary candidate from  “Shompiritir Oikko” panel supported by Bangladesh Chhatra Union, alleged irregularities from the beginning.

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“In many halls including Hall 21 and Nazrul Hall, indelible ink is not being used. Polling agents are not allowed to identify voters or match them with the lists. In Nazrul Hall, our agent was barred from entering and told to ‘trust the authorities’,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, Returning Officer Prof Mir Ferdous said, “We have not received any instructions or materials from the Election Commission. That’s why we cannot arrange for the use of ink.”

Polling officer Ebadullah Khan added, “We have no ink, but we are taking signatures in three places. No further instructions have been given to us.”

Chief Election Commissioner Prof Moniruzzaman said they gave instructions and also sent instruments to many halls. “I just came to know about the ink issue, and I will speak with the returning officers for details.”