In a press release from the University Teachers’ Network, it has stated that there should be an impartial investigation into the allegations regarding the Jahangirnagar University Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.
It reads, “The Jahangirnagar University Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, held on September 11 after 33 years, had generated immense enthusiasm and excitement among students following their long-standing demand. However, the actual election was both flawed and controversial. Due to the mismanagement-filled process, we lost a young teacher who paid with his life.
“Considering the inefficiency of the Election Commission from its formation, reluctance to increase manpower, lack of clear directives, and bias toward specific candidates, we see a backdrop of severe incompetence leading to the death of our colleague Jannatul Ferdous. We express our condolences to the grieving family of the late Jannatul Ferdous. At the same time, we condemn the Election Commission for its shortsighted and planless actions.
“The serious issues observed throughout the election process, consistently, are as follows:
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Flawed voter list and defective ballots.
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After the final candidate list was announced, VP candidate Amartya Roy was disqualified four days before the election, citing irregular student status after the deadline had passed. Although a higher court suspended this decision against Amartya, the university appealed to the chamber court and, citing that ballot papers had already been printed, got the higher court’s decision suspended on September 9. The administration could have complied with the higher court’s order and reinstated Amartya’s candidacy, but they did not. This behaviour and the entire process of canceling a candidate’s nomination appear to us as biased and malicious intent on the part of the administration.
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The date for candidates’ dope tests was set for the 9th. When asked about the relevance of dope tests after ballot papers were printed, it was claimed that ballot papers had not been printed. Such contradictory statements make the Election Commission a laughingstock.
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There are allegations that ballot boxes were sent to the halls the night before the election. However, there should be no issue with sending ballot boxes to the campus on the morning of the election day.
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The Election Commission initially decided not to allow candidates to have polling agents. Later, at the last moment, at 2:30am on the night before the election, it was announced that polling agents would be allowed, creating significant disparity among candidates. Additionally, delays in providing identity cards to polling agents and some candidates not having polling agents for several hours after voting began in the morning raise questions about the election’s transparency.
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Candidates were barred from entering voting centres. Candidates and journalists were prevented from inspecting female student halls.
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Supplying more ballot papers than the number of designated voters raises major suspicions. In some halls, ballot papers were found lying on the ground.
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Instances of indelible ink fading created opportunities for vote rigging.
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Many could not vote despite being legitimate students because their names were not on the voter list. Evidence of fake voting has been found.
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In some halls, the names of multiple candidates were not printed, or the instructions on how many members to vote for contained incorrect numbers.
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Voting did not end in all halls at the scheduled time. Voting continued even two and a half hours after the scheduled time.
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Due to questions raised about vote counting using the OMR method, a decision was made to count votes manually, but the actual process was not followed. This led to slow vote counting, and results were announced 48 hours later. Questions arise about the integrity of the ballot boxes over such a long period.
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Three colleagues assigned various election duties resigned, alleging the supply of excess ballot papers and fading indelible ink.
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Similarly, after noon on election day, five out of eight participating panels boycotted the election, raising these allegations.
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All food and tea shops on campus were closed, stifling the festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, after noon on election day, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists gathered at various university gates, exerting mental pressure on the university administration, students, the Election Commission, and all campus residents.
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Finally, two out of five Election Commissioners resigned, alleging bias in the election. Despite all this, the election results were announced with the signatures of the three remaining commissioners.
“All this indicates that every effort was made to ensure one party’s victory by any means, ignoring the boycott, resignations, and all allegations from candidates, returning officers, and election commissioners. We view the resignation of two commission members as a complete failure of the administration in conducting the election.
“Allegations arose regarding the tender for OMR machines before the election. Multiple parties blamed each other. Instead of using OMR to resolve the issue, the administration started manual counting, highlighting sheer administrative weakness. After such a huge investment, not being able to use the machines is simply shameful. Moreover, it placed an unbearable workload on our colleagues. Immediate manpower expansion was essential then.
“We believe the reasons above clearly show the election was biased and has lost acceptability. The responsibility for this lies with the university administration. For the same reasons, we reject this election and believe it is crucial to uncover these manipulations through a fair investigation.”
