Chhatra Dal holds 2nd day of sit-in protest outside Election Commission

The Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal on Monday (January 19) staged its second consecutive day of sit-in protests in front of the Election Commission (EC), accusing the body of partisan conduct over postal ballots and the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student union election.

From around 11:00am, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists gathered outside the EC headquarters in Agargaon, chanting slogans and demonstrating against what they described as biased decisions by the commission.

Protesters alleged that the EC’s recent decisions on postal ballots have raised serious questions about the neutrality of the electoral process. They claimed the commission is acting under pressure from a particular political party and making hasty and ill-considered decisions, undermining its independence and professionalism.

Chhatra Dal also protested the EC’s directives regarding the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) election, calling them unprecedented and controversial.

According to the organisation, the commission issued the instructions under direct political influence. The EC on January 15 allowed SUST student union and hall elections to be held on the previously scheduled date of January 20, despite having earlier ordered the suspension of all elections ahead of the national polls.

The suspension order had been formally communicated to divisional commissioners, regional election officers and deputy commissioners on January 12.

However, just three days later, the commission issued a gazette stating it had no objection to holding the SUSTCSU election as scheduled.

Chhatra Dal leaders said their movement would continue until their demands are met, urging the Election Commission to withdraw the disputed decisions and act in a neutral manner.