The Oikyoboddho Jobiyan panel, backed by Chhatra Shakti, has alleged the use of muscle power during voting in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election.
The allegations were made at a press conference around 11am on Tuesday by the panel’s vice-president candidate, Kishor Samya.
At the briefing, he also accused the election commission of bias and alleged that leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal obstructed the entry of polling agents.
Kishor Samya said Chhatra Dal was openly displaying muscle power in the election. “In Room 102 of the Social Work Department, our polling agent was prevented from entering by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists. Chhatra Dal polling agents are blatantly violating the code of conduct. They are distributing amulets among voters. Providing slips on election day does not fall within the code of conduct in any way,” he said.
Claiming bias on the part of the election commission, he further alleged that a section of teachers was working in favour of Chhatra Dal, while another section was supporting Jamaat. He also claimed that the ink being applied to voters’ fingers was fading.
Earlier, citing widespread irregularities, clashes and threats during the JnUCSU election, Riyazul Islam, vice-president candidate of the Chhatra Shibir-backed Odomyo Jobiyan Oikko panel, demanded direct state intervention to ensure a transparent and impartial election.
Riyazul Islam said that upon visiting the Philosophy Department, they found agents of a Chhatra Dal-backed panel sitting inside the polling centre with booklets displaying their panel’s profile placed in front of them. When an agent from their panel objected, Chhatra Dal panel leaders and activists allegedly rushed to assault him inside the centre and attempted to destabilise the situation through shouting and commotion. The situation was later brought under control with the assistance of the president and general secretary of the teachers’ association.
