JCD at Jahangirnagar University Protests, Calls for Fresh Jucsu Election

Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Jahangirnagar University staged a protest march on campus tonight, demanding the cancellation of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (Jucsu) polls and a fresh election schedule.

The march began around 9:00pm from Kabir Smarani, near the New Arts Building, and concluded at the Chowrongi area. JCD vice president candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan, assistant general secretary candidate Sajjadul Islam, and more than 100 supporters joined the procession.

At Chowrongi, the protesters held a short rally where they chanted slogans rejecting the election and accusing it of being fraudulent.

Speaking at the gathering, JCD’s JU convener Zahir Uddin Babor alleged massive irregularities in the voting process. He claimed ballot papers were tampered with in women’s dormitories such as Jahanara Imam Hall and Hall 15, and accused election officials of turning a blind eye to ballot stuffing. He also alleged that extra ballots were handed to Islami Chhatra Shibir activists to cast fake votes.

Babor demanded the election be annulled, a new election commission formed, and a fair re-vote conducted. He said a memorandum would be submitted to the Jucsu election commission tomorrow, and discussions were underway with other panels that had already withdrawn to launch a coordinated movement.

Earlier in the day, the JCD-backed panel announced its boycott of the polls at a press briefing. Later, four more panels and several independent candidates also pulled out, citing similar allegations.