Although the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) election marks the end of a 33-year-long wait, the historic election has been overshadowed by controversy, as five student panels announced a boycott, citing serious allegations of irregularities, mismanagement, and favouritism.
The boycott was supported by Sompritir Oikyo, Shongshoptok Porshod, Shwotontro Ongikar Parishad, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist), and the Chhatra Dal-backed panel. Apart from this, a number of independent candidates also withdrew themselves.
Describing the role of university administration and the election commission as controversial, they cited allegations of vote rigging, and a failure to ensure a fair and transparent election process.
In response to the boycott, the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel dismissed the boycott as conspiratorial. Mazharul Islam, the GS candidate from the Shibir-backed Sammilito Chhatra Oikyo panel, told Stream, "There hasn't been a single violation of the electoral code of conduct that Chhatra Dal and others themselves haven't committed.
"Yet they are now boycotting the election. This is clearly a conspiratorial act. They failed to gain students' support and were headed for defeat as they believe boycotting is the best option for them. I don't think this will have any impact on the students of Jahangirnagar University."
Questions raised over role of administration, election commission
The main point of boycotting panels' allegations is non-cooperation from the university administration and the election commission, as well as an unwillingness to ensure a fair election.
At a press conference held around 6:45pm on Thursday at the university's Paribahan Chattar, Sompritir Oikyo's General Secretary Candidate Shoron Ehsan said that the JUCSU election process began in an undemocratic and biased manner during the first and only meeting between the election commission and candidates, held at the Zahir Raihan Auditorium.
In addition to Sompritir Oikyo, candidates from Shongshoptok Porshod, the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, and the Swadhin Ongikar Parishad, among others, were present at the press conference.
Allegations of vote rigging, irregularities surface
In its press release, Shongshoptok Porshod not only condemned the university administration's "disgraceful" role but also accused Chhatra Shibir of vote rigging. The panel specifically alleged that in Hall No 15, members of Chhatri Sangstha, the female student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami were casting fake votes.
"In Shahid Salam-Barkat Hall, although there were 299 registered voters, a total of 400 ballot papers were sent to the polling station," the statement added.
The panel further claimed that due to the absence of photographs in the voter list, individuals were able to vote without verification, and such incidents were observed in Rafique-Jabbar Hall. The presence of outsiders from various organisations in nearly every hall, along with the administration's biased behaviour, were also cited as reasons behind the boycott.
During the evening press conference, Shoron Ahsan presented a list of irregularities that allegedly occurred throughout the day. Among the accusations were that, despite prior approval, polling agents were denied entry for at least two hours at several centres on election morning due to missing signatures or photographs.
The panel also complained that indelible ink was not applied at all centres in the morning and that, even when it was, the ink faded quickly. Violations of election rules were also alleged, including distribution of Chhatra Shibir leaflets inside polling stations, especially in female halls, and reports that leaflets from Shibir and the "Swatantra Shikkharthi Sammelan" were displayed inside voting booths at Jahanara Imam Hall.
Furthermore, there are allegations of female students being physically assaulted in Jahanara Imam Hall. Questions were also raised about the administration printing 10 per cent more ballot papers than necessary and the absence of candidates' names for the member posts in Nazrul Hall.
Candidacy cancellation and dope test controversy
Concerns were raised at the press conference regarding the cancellation of Amartya Ray's candidacy. Despite a High Court order upholding his candidacy, a case was presented in the Chamber Court, and his candidacy was cancelled on the pretext that the ballot papers had already been printed.
This move was described as a deliberate strategy by the administration to sabotage the JUCSU election, they added.
Although dope tests were made mandatory, some candidates reportedly did not participate in them. It was also alleged that the results of the dope tests had not yet been released.
The boycotting panels told the media that widespread irregularities have cast serious doubt on the accuracy of the election. These include: male candidates entering female dormitories, absence of photographs in the voter list, failure to mark voters' fingers with ink, names missing from the list despite eligibility, overprinting of ballot papers, line jamming, and the presence of outsiders on campus.
Demand for re-election
Candidates from progressive student organisations, along with independent candidates expressing solidarity, have boycotted the election and called for a fresh, fair, and credible re-election process. At the press conference, Shoron Ehsan said, "We are boycotting this rigged election. We demand a prompt re-election through a fair and acceptable process."
They also demanded the reconstitution of the election commission and the announcement of a new election schedule.
Chhatra Dal echoes the same demand
Chhatra Dal has also boycotted the JUCSU election and staged a protest march on the campus. Around 9:00pm on Thursday, JU Chhatra Dal-nominated JUCSU candidates and activists began a procession from Murad Chattar, which ended at Chourangi Mor.
Following the march, Chhatra Dal members declared that the JUCSU election must be cancelled. They also demanded the formation of a new election commission and the announcement of a re-election.
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