Three teachers reportedly aligned with BNP have stepped aside from their duties in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections, citing widespread irregularities. They are Prof Shamima Sultana, Nazrul Islam and Nahrin Khan.
“We have been witnessing various irregularities since morning. Extra ballot papers were supplied to each centre. We protested, but no action was taken. The officials in charge simply told us to tear up the extra ballots,” Prof Shamima said while talking to reporters. She alleged that voters are supposed to have their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their votes, but the markers provided are ineffective.
“Under the circumstances, we feel we cannot continue to be part of this election,” she said. However, long queues of eager students remained outside several polling centres even after the official voting hours at 5pm.
As of 5:20pm, more than 200 students were still seen waiting in the line outside the Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall polling centre. Meanwhile, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel announced a boycott of the elections, alleging vote rigging and irregularities.