JUCSU : 3 teachers quit polls duties alleging irregularities

Three teachers of Jahangirnagar University (JU), known to be aligned with BNP, have resigned from their duties in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections, citing irregularities.

The teachers are Prof Nahrin Islam Khan, Prof Nazrul Islam and Prof Shamima Sultana. They announced their decision on Thursday afternoon.

Prof Shamima Sultana alleged that ballot boxes were not distributed as per the Election Commission’s instructions. “They took this election lightly. New voters were created on election day. Why were extra ballot papers printed? Today’s election was a staged drama. That’s why we boycotted it,” she said.

Earlier in the day, around 4:00 pm, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed general secretary candidate Tanjila Hossain Baishakhi also announced a boycott at a press conference held at the guest room of Maulana Bhashani Hall.

She alleged that the election was rigged from the beginning. She claimed that voter lists at several halls had no photographs, polling centres were made unstable, and some students cast multiple votes, while the administration did not take any action.

Earlier at noon, JCD-backed Vice-President (VP) candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan alleged that the Election Commission procured ballot papers and OMR machines from a Jamaat-linked company, bypassing rules. He claimed this was part of a blueprint to ensure victory for Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Under pressure from students and teachers, the commission later dropped the plan to use OMR machines and decided to count ballots manually. However, since the ballots were supplied by the same company, the JCD panel objected.

LND/SAE