Concerns have been raised over the quality of ink used in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) elections, as two vice-president candidates alleged that the indelible ink applied to voters’ fingers was fading shortly after marking.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Sajjad Hossain Hridoy and Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Ibrahim Hossain Roni made the complaint after casting their votes at the IT Building centre around 10:30am.
Hridoy said the ink was coming off easily, raising the risk of multiple voting, while Roni said the administration had earlier claimed the ink would last several days.
Chief election commissioner Professor Monir Uddin said the university could not procure the imported ink used in national polls and instead used the best local alternative. 'Applying ink is not mandatory; it’s a formality. Voter identity is verified through ID cards and photographs,' he said.
Chattogram police superintendent Md Saiful Islam Santu described the overall voting environment as festive and peaceful, saying law enforcement would remain deployed even after results are announced.
The CUCSU and hall union elections are being held today for the first time in 35 years.