Shongshoptok Parshad panel boycotts JUCSU election citing ‘vote fraud’

The Shongshoptok Parshad panel has boycotted the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union election, accusing the administration of bias and alleging collusion with Islami Chhatra Shibir in rigging the vote.

The panel’s media statement on Thursday afternoon outlined several specific allegations:

• Allegations have emerged of female members of a student organisation casting fake votes at polling station of Female Hall No. 15. Pre-marked ballot papers were also recovered from the centre.
• At Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall, the voter list showed 299 students, but 400 ballot papers were reportedly found.
• The absence of photographs on the voter list allowed anyone to cast a vote in place of registered students. Evidence of this was reported from Shaheed Rafiq-Jabbar Hall.
• Outsiders from different organisations were reportedly seen inside almost every residential hall.
• Biased behaviour from the university administration was observed. Allegations have also surfaced of several other irregularities.

In light of these claims, the panel said it was compelled to boycott the election.

The statement also issued a call to action. “We urge all participating panels and students to set aside internal divisions and unite in resisting this orchestrated election theft involving the administration and Chhatra Shibir.”

When contacted, Sohagi Samia Jannatul Ferdous, a candidate for the assistant general secretary (female) post from the panel, said details would be provided at a press conference.