Election Commission failed to ensure fair Jucsu polls, says Shibir-backed VP candidate

The Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, "Sammilito Chhatra Oikya," has alleged major irregularities in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) election.

At a press conference held at 2:00pm in front of the old registrar building, the vice president candidate Arifullah said, "Since yesterday, we have seen that the university election commission has failed to ensure a fair voting environment."

Regarding allegations that ballot papers and OMR sheets were printed at an institution linked to Jamaat, Arifullah said, "The company HRSoft BD is led by Rokmunur Zaman Rony, a BNP supporter. On his Facebook profile, you can see pictures of Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and other BNP leaders. Yet false accusations are being made against us."

Arifullah said, "After 33 years, Jucsu election is finally happening. Voting started from 9:00am in a festive mood, but we noticed several irregularities. The election commission was supposed to make full preparations for a fair election, but they were not prepared."

He claimed they faced problems with polling agents. "We asked to place our agents last night, but the administration made a decision very late at night. This morning, when we sent our polling agents to the centres, hall authorities delayed in allowing them."

Arifullah also alleged that despite the university's announcement that no former students would be allowed on campus from 6:00am, many former Chhatra Dal activists were present at different points and dormitories.

"They tried to influence voters, but the commission did nothing about it despite repeated complaints," he said.

He further mentioned that journalists were not allowed inside women's dormitories at the beginning, even though they should have access everywhere.

Another allegation was about extra ballot papers. "We knew that 10% extra ballots were printed. We demanded those be sealed and only as many ballots as the number of voters be supplied to each hall. But today we found extra ballots in Shahid Salam Barkat Hall, Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, and many others. This clearly shows a lack of preparation by the commission."

He accused Chhatra Dal of intimidation in several halls. "They are moving in groups, creating a fearful situation. In Jahanara Imam Hall, they even assaulted a guard. In one hall, they formed a mob at the polling center to sabotage the voting. We informed the administration, and we expect the commission to act."

Arifullah added that they had information about outsiders linked to Chhatra Dal gathering around the campus. "This is alarming. At any moment, a major incident may happen," he warned.