JUCSU polls marked by boycotts, allegations of irregularities

Voting in the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and hall-union elections concluded on Thursday amid controversy, with the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and several left-leaning panels boycotting the polls over alleged irregularities and rigging.

According to the Election Commission, more than 70 per cent of registered voters cast ballots, and results are expected to be finalised by midnight.

The JCD-backed panel withdrew around 3:30pm, an hour and a half before polls ended, alleging widespread ballot stuffing, fake ballots, obstruction of polling agents, and administrative bias favouring Chhatra Shibir candidates.

Tanjila Hossain Baishakhi, the JCD general secretary (GS) candidate, said at an emergency press briefing, "From the beginning, we feared this would be a staged election. We repeatedly warned the administration that a fair election was not possible, but our concerns were ignored."

Following JCD's withdrawal, the Sangshaptak Parishad, a panel supported by a faction of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union and other leftist groups, also announced a boycott, accusing the administration of siding with Shibir.

Another faction-backed panel, Sampriti'r Oikya, declared no-confidence in the Election Commission.

Its GS candidate, Shoron Ehsan, said, "This election is not being conducted properly. We declare no-confidence in the Commission. From the start, they destroyed our trust and expectations."

3 TEACHERS QUIT FROM DUTIES

Citing irregularities, three BNP-leaning teachers - Professors Shamima Sultana, Nazrul Islam, and Nahrin I Khan - resigned from their election duties about an hour before polls closed.

Prof Shamima Sultana said, "Extra ballots were supplied to centres. We protested, but no action was taken. Officials even said we could just tear up extra ballots. Moreover, the marker given for fingerprint ink doesn't work properly. Under such circumstances, we felt we could not continue."

ALLEGATIONS OF MISMANAGEMENT

Multiple panels, independent candidates, and students alleged widespread mismanagement by the university administration.

At Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hall (No 10), polling scheduled to start at 9:00am was delayed until 9:45 due to late ballot arrival. Later, a power outage at 10:30 forced voting to continue under mobile flashlights for 25 minutes.

Power was restored at 11:55am, but ICT cell official Fazlul Karim Patwary failed to explain the blackout, stating only that prior notice had been issued for uninterrupted power.

Rain also caused outages at several halls, including Maulana Bhashani, Shaheed Rafiq-Jabbar, Fazilatunnesa, AFM Kamaluddin, Pritilata, and Bir Protik Taramon Bibi Halls.

Candidates, particularly JCD, alleged excess ballots were supplied compared to the number of voters. Promised photo-based voter lists were not provided, and in 5-6 centres, voters' fingers were not marked or marks faded quickly. Polling agents were not issued ID cards.

At Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, JCD agent Jisan said, "No polling agents were given ID cards. Voters' fingers are not being marked at all. Journalists were also obstructed from entering centres."

Abu Touhid Mohammad Siam, GS candidate from the Student Against Discrimination-backed panel, added, "At Rabindranath Tagore, Rafiq Jabbar, Shaheed Tajuddin, and Kazi Nazrul Islam Halls, ink is not being used. Without proper identification, fraud is highly possible."

Shibir-backed panel's VP candidate Arif Ullah said, "Since yesterday [Wednesday], we have observed that the Commission has failed to ensure a fair environment."

Initially, the Election Commission planned to count votes using OMR machines but later reverted to manual counting.

Dr Saleh Ahmed Khan of the central monitoring committee said, "During DUCSU polls, machine counting sparked controversy. Based on that experience, JUCSU votes are now being counted manually."

Ballot paper errors also caused confusion. At Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, voters were supposed to select three executive members, but ballot instructions allowed only one choice.

Polling officer Ujjal Kumar Mondal said the issue was reported and clarified to voters. Voting was suspended twice at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Hall and Fazilatunnesa Hall due to complaints and commotion.

Fazilatunnesa Hall polls stopped from 12:15 to 1:30pm, while Tajuddin Hall saw a 20-minute halt around noon. Hall provost Prof Lutful Elahi said, "Disturbances forced suspension, but once under control, voting resumed."

ACCUSATIONS BETWEEN PANELS

JCD alleged Shibir candidates violated electoral codes by distributing leaflets during polling and received undue benefits, as ballots were printed at a Jamaat affiliate's press.

Shibir claimed ballots were printed at a BNP supporter's press and accused JCD of spreading misinformation. Both sides also alleged the presence of former activists and party leaders on campus created fear among voters.

VOTER TURNOUT

Polling began at 9:00am and ended at 5:00 pm at 19 centres, with voting extended an extra 90 minutes in Tajuddin and Kazi Nazrul halls due to earlier delays. There were 224 booths across 11 male and 10 female halls.

The highest male voter turnout was recorded at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall with 82.3 per cent, followed by 21 No Hall at 75.1 per cent, Shaheed Rafique-Jabbar Hall at 71.6 per cent, and Maulana Bhashani Hall at 73.7 per cent.

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