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and OMR machines were supplied by Jamaat-linked businesses. We warned the administration, but they ignored us.”

She alleged forged votes, obstruction of polling agents, preferential treatment for Shibir candidates, fading ink, faulty voter lists, and delayed polling.

Boishakhi added that their VP candidate was barred at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall, an independent was attacked at Jahanara Imam Hall, and a Shibir candidate used a journalist’s ID to access restricted areas without facing action. “This election won’t reflect students’ verdict. The administration has joined hands with Jamaat-Shibir to engineer the outcome. We have no choice but to boycott.”

At a separate briefing, Sompritir Oikya GS candidate Sharan Ahsan said, “Students waited 33 years for this election, but the process turned into a nightmare. We demand a fresh election under a new commission.”

The boycotting panels alleged polling agents were barred during the first two hours, washable ink was used, and leaflets of a particular panel were distributed inside booths, including women’s halls where male candidates were allowed. They also claimed extra ballots were printed and found scattered. At Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, ballots missing candidates’ names were manually corrected.

They accused the administration of cancelling some candidacies while allowing others to bypass dope tests. Complaints from JCD, Shibir, and left-leaning panels went unanswered by the Election Commission.

Shibir-backed Shikkharthi Jote also criticised the EC. VP candidate Arifullah said at a 2:00pm briefing, “They were supposed to be fully prepared, but they weren’t. Our request to place agents last night was granted very late, and hall authorities delayed letting them in.”

He alleged former JCD activists roamed dormitories despite a ban on former students from 6:00am and said extra ballots were found in two halls. “Chhatra Dal boycotted because they were certain of defeat. This kind of withdrawal isn’t healthy for democracy.”

Earlier, JU authorities detained JCD vice president Hafizur Rahman Sohan for entering Rabindranath Tagore Hall in violation of the code of conduct but released him after he signed an undertaking. No action was taken against the JU Shibir president, also a former student, despite similar violations.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad-backed Shikkharthi Oikkya Forum alleged a “design” to favour some panels. GS candidate Abu Touhid Mohammad Siam said leaflets were openly distributed at polling centres without consequence and irregularities continued “in front of authorities”.

IRREGULARITIES

Around noon, candidates reported inconsistent access for polling agents. Adri Ankur, president of one student union faction, said some agents were allowed into halls while others were blocked.

At 12:33pm, a ballot paper error at Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall caused confusion as voters were told to mark one candidate instead of three. The issue was later corrected.

Voting at Shaheed Tajuddin Hall was halted for 25 minutes due to missing voter lists and a lack of ink. Prof Saleh Ahmmad Khan, member of the Central Election Monitoring Committee, said 153 votes were set aside as voters had no ink mark and photos missing from the list.

Speaking to The Daily Star, he said he visited 13 halls yesterday and found the election largely peaceful, though there were some minor errors. “Most allegations were not submitted in writing, so the commission could not act on them …. All complaints are being sent to the university’s legal adviser, and final results should not be declared until these are resolved.”

At female Hall No-15, voting was suspended for an hour after rigging allegations.

Prof Dr Nahreen Islam Khan, present at the centre, said, “We witnessed female voters being taken to the back door of the polling room and marked as voters, in violation of rules. When we questioned the returning officer, she misbehaved with us. I was shocked to see voting amid such mismanagement.”

Contacted, RO Shabnam Ferdousy said power outages disrupted polling and some ballot papers “accidentally fell” from voters’ hands. “We continued using mobile flashlights. The pens used were supplied by the EC, which has already expressed regret.”

Three BNP-leaning teachers -- Prof Nazrul Islam, Prof Shamima Sultana, and Prof Nahreen -- resigned from monitoring duties, citing widespread irregularities.

Nazrul said ballot papers and machines were supplied by a Jamaat-linked company, “proving the process was politically motivated”.

Journalists faced hurdles entering women’s polling centres between 9:00am and 10:00am, despite regulations allowing media access.

First-year student Md Robiul Islam from Shaheed Rafiq-Jabbar Hall said, “I waited 20 minutes, only to learn my vote had already been cast.” Polling officer Md Jakir Hossain confirmed via CCTV footage that a fake ID was used and reported the incident to the EC.

Voting ended at 5:00pm in most centres but continued until 7:00pm at Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall due to a delayed start. Counting began at 10:25pm. EC member Mafruhi Sattar said results would not be published before this morning.

Students voted for 40 positions -- 25 in Jucsu and 15 in hall unions -- with 177 candidates contesting in the central body and 443 vying for 215 hall union posts.

JCD PROTEST

Protesting the election, DU JCD around 9:00pm brought out a procession from Kabir Smarani near the New Arts Building to Chowrongi, where they held a brief rally protesting the Jucsu polls.

JU JCD Convener Zahir Uddin Babor alleged extra ballots were given to Shibir activists and demanded cancellation of the polls, a new EC, and a fresh schedule. “We’ll submit a memorandum tomorrow [today] demanding a fresh election. We are also in talks with other panels who boycotted to launch a joint movement.”

(Our Savar correspondent also contributed to this report.)