Sampritir Oikya panel expresses no-confidence in Election Commission, cites widespread irregularities
The Sampritir Oikya panel has expressed no-confidence in the Jucsu Election Commission, citing "widespread irregularities since the beginning" of Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union polling.
In an emergency press conference in the afternoon, the panel alleged that the election is not being conducted in a fair and proper manner.
The panel leaders said the problems began with what they called the "forced and conspiratorial cancellation" of their vice-president candidate Amartya Roy's nomination. They alleged that this set the stage for further irregularities and biased behaviour from the administration during the voting process.
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Sampritir Oikya also pointed to inconsistencies in the dope test requirement, claiming that some candidates were allowed to contest without the test, while the Election Commission failed to clarify its stance.
At several polling centres – including No 10 Student Hall, Rokeya Hall and Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall – panel-nominated polling agents were reportedly barred from entering for long periods despite prior permission granted only the night before. "Officials told us to 'trust them' while voting was already underway," the panel stated, adding that even when agents were later allowed in, they were denied proper listing procedures.
Other alleged irregularities included voters not being marked with indelible ink in most halls, LED screens (meant to broadcast live polling updates) remaining out of service for hours, and activists from rival groups openly distributing slips of paper with candidates' names inside polling centres. A case of physical assault on a student was also reported at Jahanara Imam Hall.
Additionally, at Nazrul Hall, ballot papers for executive member positions initially excluded several candidates' names, the panel alleged. "These were later added by hand, raising questions over the credibility of the process," it stated. Mohammad Sharan Ehsan, general secretary candidate for the panel, spoke at the press conference.
"In view of these irregularities, we believe this election is not being conducted in line with due process. We hereby express our no-confidence in the Election Commission," the statement concluded.
