At least five student panels boycotted the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union elections on Thursday, demanding the formation of a new election commission and a fresh schedule, in a setback to the campus’s first vote in more than three decades.
The boycotting groups include Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal; Sampritir Oikya, a platform of eight progressive student organisations, including a Bangladesh Chhatra Union-backed faction; another faction of Chhatra Union and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist)-backed Sangsaptap Parshad; cultural groups-backed Sotontro Ongikar Parishad, and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Leninist)-backed panel.
JCD candidates announced their withdrawal midday, alleging ballot stuffing, flawed voter lists and intimidation at polling centres.
General secretary candidate Tanzeela Hossain Baishakhi told reporters the election was ‘staged from the beginning’, while vice-president aspirant Sheikh Sadi Hasan accused Jamaat-e-Islami-backed activists of creating an atmosphere of fear.
The other panels echoed the same demand, dissolution of the commission and a fresh election under new authorities.
Chief election commissioner Moniruzzaman denied the allegations, saying the process was conducted transparently.
