NewKerala.com

Chittagong University Suspends Poll Results Amid Voting Irregularity Claims

Chittagong University has suspended student union election results amid serious voting irregularity allegations. The suspension follows violent clashes between rival student political groups on campus. A police officer was injured while trying to control the unrest between BNP and Jamaat activists. This incident adds to growing concerns about electoral integrity in Bangladesh's university student elections.

Key Points: Chittagong University Suspends Student Election Results

  • University suspends results from two halls following vote manipulation allegations
  • Pro Vice-Chancellor detained by protesting students for over two hours
  • Police officer injured during clashes between BNP and Jamaat student wings
  • Election Commissioner criticized authorities over unavailability of indelible ink
  • Similar voting irregularities reported at Dhaka and Jahangirnagar universities
3 min read

Bangladesh: Chittagong University suspends poll results amid allegations of voting irregularities

Bangladesh's Chittagong University suspends student union election results amid allegations of voting irregularities and campus unrest between rival political groups.

"We were trying to disperse both groups by talking to them, but suddenly one group started throwing brickbats at us, leaving me injured in the head. - Kazi Tarek Aziz"

Dhaka, Oct 16

Bangladesh's Chittagong University on Thursday suspended the student union election results of two halls following allegations of voting irregularities and post-election unrest, shortly after the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, claimed victory, local media reported.

The Shibir-backed candidates won key posts, including vice-president, general secretary, and 22 other positions in the Chittagong University Central Students' Union election (CUCSU).

Election Commission member-secretary AKM Ariful Haque said that the results of Atish Dipankar Srigyan Hall and Suhrawardy Hall at Chittagong University would be recounted on Thursday afternoon and published later, without providing details on the reason for the recount, Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported.

Reports suggest that tensions erupted during the result announcement at Suhrawardy Hall after an uproar broke out between Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) student wing, Chhatra Dal, and Shibir activists in the early hours of Thursday in front of the Faculty of Engineering building.

Amid the unrest, Pro Vice-Chancellor Md Kamal Hossain was reportedly detained by protesting students and released about two and a half hours later.

Leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal alleged that their vice presidential candidate, Jamadiul Awal, lost the election due to vote manipulation.

On Wednesday night, a senior police official was injured while attempting to control unrest between local Jamaat and BNP activists at the Chittagong University's main gate over the CUCSU election.

Speaking to Daily Star, the injured officer Kazi Tarek Aziz said, "We were trying to disperse both groups by talking to them, but suddenly one group started throwing brickbats at us, leaving me injured in the head."

Earlier on Wednesday, the university's Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Monir Uddin lashed out at the authorities over the unavailability of indelible ink ahead of the CUCSU elections, terming it a reflection of "national incompetence."

These latest developments come amid mounting concerns over voting irregularities in students' union elections held at universities across the country.

Last month, several student leaders rejected the results of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election, calling them a "planned fraud", as the Shibir-backed candidates won key posts.

Similarly, the Chhatra Dal announced a boycott of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) election held last month, citing voting irregularities and other concerns.

These student leaders earlier collaborated with Muhammad Yunus and several political outfits to overthrow the democratically elected Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The pattern of irregularities across multiple universities is alarming. When student elections become this contentious, it reflects poorly on the entire democratic process. Bangladesh needs to address this urgently.
P
Priya S
Detaining the Pro Vice-Chancellor for 2.5 hours? This is absolutely unacceptable behavior from students. Campuses should be safe spaces for learning, not battlegrounds for political parties. 😔
V
Vikram M
The CEC calling it "national incompetence" for not having indelible ink says everything. Basic election requirements missing shows how poorly this was organized. Bangladesh universities need to learn from India's election management.
R
Rohit P
As an Indian student, I've seen how student politics can either build or destroy campuses. Hope Bangladesh finds a peaceful resolution. Violence and brickbatting have no place in educational institutions.
M
Michael C
While I understand the frustration with alleged irregularities, the response shouldn't be violence against police officers. The officer injured while trying to maintain peace deserves support and proper medical care.
K
Kavya N
This isn't just about one university election - it's part of a larger pattern across Bangladesh. When student unions become proxies for political parties, education suffers. Hope they find a way to depoliticize campuses.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50