'Admin depriving us of our democratic rights': Chhatra Dal boycotts Jucsu polls, alleging irregularities
The panel accused the administration of siding with one group instead of protecting their electoral rights, calling it a “blot on the democratic process”
The Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal panel has boycotted the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) elections, alleging multiple irregularities.
At an urgent press conference in front of Mowlana Bhashani Hall at 3:30pm today (11 September), they expressed concern over irregularities and anomalies in the election and declared their decision to withdraw.
The panel further accused the administration of siding with one group instead of protecting their electoral rights, calling it a "blot on the democratic process."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Alongside boycotting the election, they also held the university administration responsible, stating, "Such an election will leave a stain on the student community."
Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, had earlier announced a 25-member panel.
Sheikh Saadi Hasan was contesting for the vice president post and Tanzeela Hossain Baishakhi as general secretary.
In a letter to Jucsu Chief Election Commissioner Professor Moniruzzaman, Chhatra Dal panel said they wished for a free, fair, and acceptable election, but the irregularities during voting were disappointing.
"The administration, in a fascist manner, is depriving us of our democratic rights."
After announcing the boycott at the press conference towards the end of the election, the VP candidate and others left the campus.
The university authorities have not yet issued any official statement on the matter.
Nine irregularities were highlighted by the panel. They are as follows:
- Obstruction of polling agents: Candidates' polling agents were not allowed to enter polling centres on time.
- Restriction on inspecting polling centres: Candidates were not allowed to visit the polling centres, raising questions about the transparency of the process.
- Violation of electoral code of conduct: Members of the Shibir-backed panel distributed leaflets to voters on election day, in breach of the electoral code.
- Fake voting: At Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, incidents of fake voting were reported. The VP candidate was physically harassed.
- Power outages: In some polling centres, electricity supply was cut off during voting, after which, according to JCD, one side engaged in vote rigging.
- Insufficient booths: In certain centres, the number of booths was inadequate compared to the number of voters, forcing students to wait in long queues and suffer.
- Absence of indelible ink: At most polling centres, indelible ink was not used, enabling individuals to cast multiple votes.
- No photos in voter list: Since candidates' photos were not included in the voter list, votes were allegedly cast on behalf of the wrong persons.
- Error on ballot paper: In the Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, voters were supposed to elect three executive members, but the ballot contained only one name
