Jucsu polls: Shibir, Chhatra Dal VP candidates allege favouritism and ballot, dope test anomalies

The vice-president (VP) candidates of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal have alleged several irregularities in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) election, including the supply of extra ballot papers, incomplete implementation of dope tests and non-disclosure of test results, and administrative favouritism.

They made the allegations while speaking to journalists after casting their votes this morning (11 September).

Sheikh Sadi Hasan, the VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel, alleged that extra ballots were printed to favour a certain group in the polls.

Arifullah Adib, VP candidate from the Shibir-backed Somonnito Shikkharthi Jote panel, claimed that 101 extra ballots were sent to Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall compared to the total number of registered voters.

"There are 299 voters in Salam-Barkat Hall, but 400 ballots were sent. When we asked the official in charge, he failed to provide any logical explanation," Adib said.

Jucsu polls: Vote counting of 18 halls completed, central union yet to begin

He further alleged that although the university administration had initially decided to print 10% additional ballots, it later announced that no polling centre would receive extra ballots. "That decision was not followed in practice," he added.

Adib also raised questions about the presence of former students on campus despite a ban, the failure to publish mandatory dope test results for candidates, and the lack of disclosure of names of those who skipped the tests.

"Dope tests were mandatory. The university administration arranged them. But the Election Commission has yet to publish the results. We have learned that many did not even take the test, but their names have not been published either," he said.

Chhatra Dal's Sadi also made similar allegations of favouritism and negligence against the administration.

"From yesterday until now, I have observed irregularities, negligence, and favouritism from the administration. At the same time, we saw attempts by Chhatra Shibir to influence the authorities," he alleged.

He claimed that the Shibir president was openly present inside the Election Commission office, trying to influence both the commission and the administration from the start.

Sadi further alleged that the vote-counting machines were supplied by a company backed by a particular student organization. For this reason, his panel has repeatedly urged the administration, both verbally and in writing, to conduct the counting manually.

Also, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS) backed Shikkharthi Oikkya Forum panel's general secretary candidate Towhid Mohammad Siam, claimed Shibir supporters have been distributing leaflets and campaigning at the queues outside the polling centres.

Siam said, "Outside the polling centres of each hall Shibir supporters have been distributing leaflets. This goes against the election rules. We have informed the relevant authorities. Also, we have heard ink marks are not being applied on the fingers of voters which creates scope of irregularities."

However, Shibir's general secretary candidate Majharul Islam refuted the claim and said they are not distributing leaflets.

"Rather we [Shibir] as well as Chhtra Dal had asked the provost of the halls for permission to give leaflets to anyone who wishes to see the list of candidates. If voters themselves approach us only then we are providing leaflets, we are not distributing anything ourselves."

Voting halted at Tajuddin hall

Voting remained halted at JU's Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall from 12:30pm to 1:30pm as the voters' list initially contained no photos, which raised questions about whether someone actually voted or someone else voted on their behalf.

Hall Provost Lutful Ilahi commented on the matter, "I hope we have resolved it. A list with photographs has now arrived. Those who already cast their votes have signed on that list. If they come again to vote, they will be identified."

Rather than a voters' list with photos, temporary index cards issued by halls with attached photos were being used for verification.

"On top of that, indelible ink was not being applied on the fingers to all voters' fingers, raising fears of electoral fraud," claimed one Nurul Aziz, a third year student of History department of the university.

Also, voting was halted around 12:20pm at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall over allegations of irregularities.