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Published : 15 Sep 2025, 01:37 PM
A coalition of university teachers has called for an impartial investigation into allegations of widespread irregularities surrounding the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election.
On Monday, the University Teachers’ Network issued a statement citing 16 allegations of malpractice, which they say undermine the credibility of the Sept 11 vote.
The statement said that the election, held after a gap of 33 years, had raised great anticipation among students but was instead marred by chaos and controversy.
“The mismanagement of the process even cost a young teacher her life,” the group said, referring to Jannatul Ferdous, an assistant professor who died during the protracted vote-counting process.
The teachers alleged incompetence from the Election Commission “from the very outset”, citing reluctance to increase manpower, lack of clear direction, and prejudice against certain candidates.
They expressed condolences to Jannatul's family while condemning the commission’s “shortsightedness and lack of planning”.
The teachers pointed to a series of irregularities ranging from faulty voter lists, flawed ballot papers, and the last-minute disqualification of a candidate, to contradictory instructions over polling procedures.
They also highlighted allegations of ballot-stuffing, voter fraud, excess ballot papers, and restrictions on candidates, agents, and journalists from entering polling centres. Boycotts, resignations of election commissioners, and the delay in declaring the results cast further doubt on the credibility of the vote, according to them.
The teachers said the events that unfolded throughout the election suggested “the entire focus was on ensuring victory for one group at any cost” while ignoring boycotts, resignations, and complaints.
They added that the tender process for OMR machines before the election had also been tainted by allegations. The administration later abandoned the machines and reverted to manual counting amid allegations that they were procured from a company linked to Jamaat-e-Islam.
Labelling the move as “nothing but weakness”, the teachers said: “Failing to use the machines after such a large investment is shameful and placed unnecessary strain on colleagues.”
The group added that the administration should have increased manpower immediately.
“We believe it is clear from the above that this election was biased and has lost its credibility. The responsibility lies squarely with the university administration. For the same reasons, we reject this election and stress the need for a proper investigation to uncover these manipulations.”
After their stunning win in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls, Islami Chhatra Shibir repeated the trick at JUCSU, clinching a majority of the key posts in the student body.
Shibir’s Mazharul Islam won the general secretary post, while his panel mates Ferdous Al Hasan and Ayesha Siddiqua Meghla secured both joint general secretary positions.
But their clean sweep of the top posts was halted by independent candidate Abdur Rasid Zitu, who won the race for vice president.
