Ballot Supplier Linked to BNP, Not Jamaat, Claims Shibir Candidate

Allegations of electoral misconduct surfaced during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections, with Bangladesh Chhatra League (BNP-aligned) vice-presidential candidate Md. Sheikh Sadi Hasan accusing the university administration of procuring ballots and Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines from a company allegedly linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, raising concerns about potential vote rigging.

However, in a counterclaim, Mazharul Islam, the general secretary candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported panel, presented evidence during a press conference on Thursday afternoon, asserting that the ballots and OMR machines were sourced from HR Soft BD, a company based in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar, owned by a BNP supporter. Mazharul pointed out that the company’s CEO, Rokmanur Jaman Roni, has publicly displayed support for BNP leader Khaleda Zia on social media, refuting claims of Jamaat affiliation. The controversy has intensified debates about the integrity of the election process as voting continues across 21 halls until 5:00 pm.