The Chhatra Shibir-backed panel Sompritir Shikkharthi Jote and the JCD-backed panel have made counter-allegations of violations of the code of conduct in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) and hall union elections.
On Wednesday, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) submitted a written complaint to the Cucsu Election Commission at 1pm, followed by a written complaint from the Shibir-backed panel around 4:30pm.
The Sompritir Shikkharthi Jote accused the JCD-supported panel of campaigning during class hours, distributing leaflets, and making hateful and provocative remarks against rival candidates, actions which directly violate Article 4(g) of the Cucsu Election Code of Conduct 2025.
On the other hand, the JCD-supported panel accused the Shibir-backed candidates of attempting to influence voters inside hall rooms.
Both panels have admitted to some of the allegations made against them.
Professor Monir Uddin, chief election commissioner of Cucsu, told TIMES of Bangladesh that two separate complaints have been received from the Shibir and JCD-backed panels, highlighting various issues.
“We have summoned the commission members and will hold a meeting to decide on the course of action,” he said.
Allegations against Chhatra Dal
The complaint against the JCD-backed panel was filed by Sompritir Shikkharthi Jote’s vice-president candidate Ibrahim Hossain Roni.
According to Saeed Bin Habib, general secretary (GS) candidate from the Jote, though JCD had violated the code of conduct before, they refrained from filing written complaints previously. “Our aim is to ensure a participatory election with equal opportunity for all, which is why we have submitted this complaint,” he said.
The Shibir-backed panel accused that between 12:30pm and 1pm on Wednesday, during a first-year LLM class of the 2024-25 academic session at the Faculty of Law, Naeem Uddin, a student from the 2019-20 batch of the Law Department and a member of the JCD, allegedly entered the classroom and conducted election campaigning.
He reportedly made promotional speeches for JCD candidates, distributed leaflets, and made hateful and provocative remarks against other panels, disturbing the ongoing lecture and creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for students.
Such actions are a direct violation of Article 4(g) of the Cucsu and hall union election code of conduct-2025, which explicitly prohibits any campaigning in classrooms, examination halls, or during ongoing lectures as it disrupts educational activities.
JCD VP candidate Sajjad Hossain Hridoy dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous.”
Allegations against Shibir
Around 1pm, JCD supporters, including vice-president candidate Sajjad Hossain Hridoy, along with JCD CU unit President Alauddin Mohsin and General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman, accused the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel of conducting election campaigning inside a dormitory room.
They alleged that Ibrahim Roni, Sompritir Shikkharthi Jote-backed VP candidate, campaigned for about 20 minutes inside classroom 3326 of the History Department, located on the third floor of Shaheed Hriday Tarua (New Arts Building), starting at 12:18pm. During this time, Roni allegedly used a sound system inside the classroom, which the JCD supporters claim is a clear violation of the election code. They demanded strict punitive action in response.
The JCD General Secretary Noman also claimed that most student representatives in various halls and university councils are Shibir activists, many of whom are contesting in the election, and alleged administrative favoritism towards Shibir. Noman said, “We don’t see a level playing field in this election. The administration is favoring one group.”
However, VP candidate Ibrahim Hossain Roni denied the allegations of violating the code of conduct. He said, “If we breach any rules, the election commission will investigate and take appropriate action. Since the start of the election campaign, we have not violated any code of conduct.”
Past complaints and responses
Earlier, on 5 October, the CU unit JCD filed a complaint against the Islami Chhatri Sangstha, the Jamaat-e-Islami’s female student front, for violating the Cucsu code of conduct. However, the leaders of the female student organisation at the CU chapter rejected the allegations.
In another complaint by JCD General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman, it was stated that on 30 September, leaders of the Chhatri Sangstha distributed first aid boxes at Shamsunnahar Hall, which constituted a violation of the election code of conduct.
It was further reported that the hall provost assisted them in this activity. Despite being a member of the election commission, the provost’s involvement in the code of conduct violation breached the electoral oath.
The complaint requests appropriate action against both the female student organisation and the provost.
On 6 August, the Chhatri Sangstha held a press conference rejecting the allegations, and accused JCD of violating the election code of conduct and making ‘unauthorised interference’ in the election.
Jannatul Ferdous, executive member candidate of the Sompritir Shikkharthi Jote panel, said that in August, at the request of students, they had provided a first aid box in the female dormitory for emergency use.
She emphasized that this was not an election campaign but rather a welfare initiative for the students. However, she claimed that JCD misrepresented the matter.
She also stated that after the complaint by JCD, they responded to the election commission’s show-cause notice and removed the first aid box as per the commission’s directive.
Sheikh Sadia, another vice-president candidate from Shamsunnahar Hall, reportedly violated the code of conduct by printing brown-colored leaflets, yet the election commission has overlooked this issue.
Additionally, serious allegations have surfaced including the hacking of Fairoz Ferdous, the vice-president candidate of the Adommo Shikkharthi Jote panel, public threats against Tasmin, the candidate for Science and Technology, and intimidation tactics targeted at Ayesha Akter, a visually impaired candidate.
The Cucsu and hall union elections are scheduled for October 15, with a total of 907 candidates competing, 415 for 26 Cucsu positions under 13 panels and 486 for 14 hall unions.
