Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal (JCD) staged a sit-in programme in front of the Election Commission on Sunday, alleging bias and political influence behind several recent decisions, including those concerning postal ballots.
The pre-announced programme organised by the BNP-affiliated student organisation began at Agargaon around 10:30am.
At the programme, Chhatra Dal alleged that recent EC decisions have raised serious concerns about the neutrality of the electoral process and the commission’s independence.
It said that the decisions on postal ballots are questionable and could undermine a fair election environment.
Chhatra Dal further claimed that the commission is taking hurried and ill-considered decisions under pressure from a particular political group instead of acting responsibly and independently.
According to the organisation, the sit-in was organised based on three main allegations.
It said the EC’s handling of postal ballot issues has created doubts about electoral neutrality. It also alleged that political pressure is influencing the commission’s decision-making, damaging its professionalism.
Additionally, Chhatra Dal claimed the EC issued a controversial gazette regarding the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology student union election under direct political influence, which it described as harmful to democratic practices at universities.
Speaking at the programme, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib alleged that the current EC is favouring a particular student organisation.
He said the sit-in was held to protest concerns over ballot paper handling in elections and what he termed unethical political interference.
Meanwhile, the final day of appeal hearings against returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers for the 13th national parliamentary election was also held on Sunday.
The hearings began in the morning at the EC building in Agargaon, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
Following scrutiny conducted between 30 December and 4 January, nomination papers of 723 candidates were rejected, leaving 1,842 valid candidates.
Of those rejected, 645 candidates filed appeals between 5 and 9 January.
During hearings held from 10 to 17 January, candidacy was restored to 397 applicants.
