Top leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) met with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan on Tuesday evening to express their concerns regarding the ongoing Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The meeting took place at the vice-chancellor’s residence around 5:30 p.m., where the student leaders highlighted three major issues they believed could undermine the credibility of the polls.

According to Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan, JCD’s central president Rakibul Islam and general secretary Nasir Uddin raised three points of concern during their discussion. First, they questioned whether the university administration was under the influence of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Second, they pointed to reports that leaders and activists associated with Jamaat had gathered outside the university gates and asked whether the vice-chancellor was aware of this situation. Third, they expressed fears of “election engineering,” suggesting that attempts might be underway to manipulate the outcome of the student polls.

Speaking to journalists afterward, the vice-chancellor said the administration respected the concerns of all stakeholders. “We respect the opinions of any participant. Sometimes JCD leaders come and share their views. But I want to make it clear that the university administration is not influenced by Jamaat or any other political party,” Professor Khan stated. He assured that the university remained committed to conducting the election in a transparent and neutral manner.

Despite these assurances, complaints of irregularities continued to surface from the JCD panel. Abidul Islam Khan, the panel’s candidate for the vice-president position, reiterated his grievances regarding the election process. He claimed that his panel had filed twelve complaints so far with the election authorities but none had been resolved. “We have lodged twelve complaints until now, but not a single one has been addressed,” he told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Abidul also alleged that his panel members were treated poorly at several polling centers, and in some instances, they were kept waiting unnecessarily. He further accused election officials of failing to act on reports of pre-marked ballot papers at Rokeya Hall and Amar Ekushey Hall. These allegations raised doubts about the integrity of the voting process, which has historically been considered one of the most significant platforms for student political expression in Bangladesh.

The DUCSU and hall union elections, which concluded on Tuesday afternoon, were already being closely observed as a test of campus democracy and as an indicator of broader political trends in the country. With candidates backed by major national political parties vying for key positions, the stakes were high. The claims of possible manipulation and external influence have therefore intensified scrutiny on the administration’s role in ensuring a free and fair election.

The meeting between the JCD leadership and the vice-chancellor highlighted the deep mistrust that remains among some student groups toward the election process. While the administration sought to reassure students of its neutrality, opposition-backed candidates continued to press for greater transparency and accountability.

As vote counting progresses, all eyes remain on how the election authorities address the mounting allegations. For now, the concerns raised by JCD leaders and the complaints lodged by their panel underscore the challenges of managing a high-stakes student election in a politically charged environment. The outcome of the DUCSU polls, both in terms of results and credibility, is likely to resonate far beyond the university campus.