Chhatra Dal withdraws protest after 'assurances' from Election Commission

It ends a sit-in outside Nirbachan Bhaban following “assurances” from the commission

The Chhatra Dal made a list of three allegations against the election regulators:

• The EC has taken biased and questionable decisions over postal ballots, creating serious doubts about the neutrality of the election process.

• Under pressure from a particular political group, the EC has taken reckless and short-sighted decisions instead of responsible and reasonable ones, raising questions about the commission’s independence and professionalism.

• Under direct influence and interference from a particular political party, the EC has issued an unprecedented and controversial notification on the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology students’ union election, which Chhatra Dal says threatens democratic practice on university campuses.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, the High Court suspended the Shahjalal University Central Students Union (SUCSU) elections for four weeks.

The Chhatra Dal president, however, had initially vowed to continue the protest until the other two issues were resolved, even threatening to block the Nirbachan Bhaban entrances if their demands were not met.

Referring to Monday’s meeting between the Chhatra Dal and the EC, Rakib said: "They have clearly defined their stance on our three demands. We wish to place our trust in them."

He noted that the EC had "taken into account" the issue of postal ballots and promised that, regardless of what had transpired abroad, they would print new postal ballots for the country.

"The EC told the Chhatra Dal that they are capable of carrying out this task "without the influence or dominance of anyone”.

Addressing the Chhatra Dal's allegations over the "influence of a specific political party”, Rakib said: "The EC asked us to have faith in them. They acknowledged that while the Chhatra Dal only visited the Nirbachan Bhaban for the first time [Sunday], another student organisation has repeatedly entered the premises freely.

"They have assured us that they will never again reach a decision governed by any political influence or dominance."

Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said, "The education ministry, the EC, and the university authorities were involved in all management aspects of the SUCSU election. Chhatra Dal was in no way involved."

Commenting on "propaganda" being spread against the Chhatra Dal over the SUCSU poll’s postponement, he said: "Misinformation is being spread on social media and in the press, claiming the Chhatra Dal is against the election. It is not against any student union election.

"The Chhatra Dal will not bear any responsibility for the disruption of the electoral process that occurred [Monday]," he added.