All candidates participating in the upcoming Jahangirnagar University Central Student Council (JUCSU) and hall council elections must undergo drug tests, JUCSU Election Commission member Professor Lutful Elahi confirmed.
"All candidates participating in the election will undergo drug tests. The decision has been taken in response to demands from candidates," he said on Tuesday.
On 31 August, the Election Commission and candidates participating in the JUCSU and hall council elections had a meeting at the university's Zahir Raihan Auditorium.
At the meeting, the candidates demanded that drug tests be conducted, nicknames of candidates be added to ballot papers, and the ongoing examinations in various departments are to be suspended a few days prior to the election. They also called to ensure a level playing field and take necessary measures to stop cyberbullying and ensure voting processes are easy.
In response to these demands, the Election Commission decided that all regular and valid students of the university will be able to vote by presenting any one of the following: a photo ID issued by the university, a photo-signed library card signed by the hall provost, a hall index card signed by the hall provost, or a photo-certified certificate signed by the hall provost.
Additionally, the commission has approved conducting drug tests and including candidates' nicknames on the ballot papers.
The Election Commission also urged the university administration to urgently adopt necessary measures to curb cyberbullying.
Additionally, the process of adding voters' photos to the voter list is currently underway, said the JUCSU Election Commission.
Candidates from various panels have welcomed the decision to conduct dope tests.
Faria Zaman Niki, joint general secretary (female) candidate of the Sompriti Oikko panel, said, "This is a good decision. It ensures that no one has the opportunity to be oppressed."
Sheikh Sadi, the vice-president candidate nominated by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said it was important to ensure that the implementation of all decisions made by the Election Commission.
"The university administration and the Election Commission have made many decisions for the JUCSU election, but they have not been effectively implemented. We see that there has been no improvement in the university's security arrangements. Outsiders are entering, and students who are not valid are still in the halls," he said.
"Through drug tests, the Election Commission wants to verify the integrity of the candidates, and we have no objection to that. We want the administration to prove, through action, that the decisions it makes are actually enforced."
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