Jucsu polls: JU VC, EC member accused of violating code of conduct for attending prayer gathering

The Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor (VC) and an Election Commission member accused of breaching the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) election code of conduct for attending a prayer gathering.

Ahead of the upcoming Jucsu election, the commission released a code of conduct prohibiting all campus rallies, gatherings, and processions.

Despite this, the university's VC Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan and  Jucsu Election Commission member and Dean of Biological Sciences Professor Mafruhi Sattar joined the prayer gathering at the JU central mosque today (26 August).

The "Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Forum" organised the event, attended by 200 current and former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists, commemorating the death anniversary of former JCD leader Habibur Rahman Kabir, raising allegations of code violations.

When asked about participating in the programme in violation of the code of conduct, Mafruhi Sattar told The Business Standard, "We do not need permission to attend any programme. They informed us about the event."

He said, "The issue is not political. It is religious and related to milad."

However, JU Proctor and Jucsu Election Commission Member Secretary Professor AKM Rashidul Alam said, "No one took permission from us. They might have taken permission from higher authorities.

"The former students joined the prayer gathering, not a political programme. Therefore, the code of conduct was not violated," he added.

Rashidul further said, "A dean called me and asked for permission for a milad mahfil at the mosque. Based on that, we gave verbal permission, but no written application came to us."

Chief Election Commissioner Professor Mohammad Moniruzzaman said, "I was not aware of this event. Now that I know, I will discuss the matter with the other members of the commission."

Attempts to reach the university VC for comment were unsuccessful.

According to section 7 (a) of the electoral code of conduct regarding electoral meetings, rallies, and processions, "all forms of meetings, rallies, and processions on campus shall be prohibited."

Additionally, section 7 (d) states regarding outsiders, "anyone other than valid voters, candidates, university teachers, officers, and employees will be considered outsiders."

Separately, on 19 August, the JU administration had issued an order prohibiting all events, meetings, rallies, programmes, and motorcycle movement on campus from 20 August to 13 September to maintain a fair electoral environment.