JCD besieges EC building with 3-point demand

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has besieged the Election Commission (EC) building, alleging irregularities in postal ballots and biased decisions influenced by a particular political group.

The sit-in and siege programme began on Sunday morning (January 18) in front of the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, led by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib.

During the protest rally, Rakibul Islam Rakib presented three key demands and allegations to the Commission. The JCD’s three-point demands are:

1. Postal Ballots: Cancel the Commission’s “biased” and questionable decisions regarding postal ballots and ensure neutrality.

2. Commission’s Independence: Act independently and professionally instead of making reckless decisions under pressure from any specific political group.

3. SUST Election: Withdraw the Commission’s “controversial” notification regarding the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student union elections.

During the siege, the Chhatra Dal President alleged that the current Commission is acting under the influence of a particular group. He stated, “To provide unethical advantages to a specific student organization at SUST and Jagannath University, election dates are being repeatedly changed or postponed. Even individuals with no official business at the Secretariat or the Commission are roaming freely and exerting influence.”

Rakibul Islam further claimed, “Chhatra Dal is performing well with the support of general students in various hall union elections, including those at Chittagong University and Jagannath University. The Commission is being used to halt this progress and influence the national elections.”

Addressing the administration and the Election Commission, he said that a certain quarter is afraid to contest elections in educational institutions without their own ‘setup.’ He noted that halting the SUST election for five days before restarting it is clear proof of this.

“The Commission is being warned through today’s program. If these coercive decisions and undue influences do not stop, more rigorous programs will be announced in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in and around the EC building following the incident.