Dhaka, Oct 31 (V7N) — The Election Commission of Jagannath University has announced that all candidates contesting in the upcoming Central Student Union and Hall Union elections will be required to undergo mandatory drug tests. Any candidate found to be under the influence of drugs will be disqualified from the race.
 
The directive was issued on Thursday night through the draft code of conduct released by the Election Commission for the upcoming polls. According to the guidelines, every candidate must pass a dope test to confirm they are not drug-addicted. Candidates failing the test or refusing to appear for it will automatically lose their eligibility.
 
The draft further specifies that any candidate convicted of a criminal offense will lose both voting and candidacy rights. Students found guilty of disciplinary violations or sexual misconduct will also be deemed ineligible to vote or contest.
 
Additionally, candidates who have been punished by university authorities for disciplinary breaches will remain ineligible until the end of their punishment period. Once the penalty expires and they regain their status as regular students, they may again exercise their rights to vote and run in elections. However, anyone convicted of sexual harassment or related offenses will be permanently barred from contesting.
 
The code of conduct also outlines restrictions on election campaigning. Candidates must include their department, residential hall, academic year, and relevant curricular or co-curricular credentials in campaign materials. Campaigning in classrooms or examination halls during academic sessions is strictly prohibited.
 
Large gatherings, rallies, or processions are banned on campus during the election period. No more than 25 people can participate in campaign activities without prior approval from the Election Commission. External individuals are prohibited from joining campaigns, and participation by faculty members, officials, or part-time and professional course students is forbidden.
 
Campaign materials are limited to handbills and leaflets, and candidates may only use their own photographs in promotional materials. The use of artificial intelligence or digital manipulation in campaign content is banned.
 
Candidates are not allowed to use vehicles for campaign purposes or conduct promotional activities at places of worship. Offering food, drinks, or gifts to voters is strictly prohibited, as are hate speech, defamatory remarks, or inflammatory statements. Campaigning must end 24 hours before voting day, and no processions will be allowed during the withdrawal period. The use of sound systems or loudspeakers is banned without prior approval, though hand microphones may be permitted by the commission.
 
Earlier, the university administration formed a five-member Election Commission to oversee the Jagannath University Central Student Union (JnUCSU) elections. Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan, Chairman of the Department of Social Work, was appointed as Chief Election Commissioner, while Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam (Law Department), Professor Dr. Kaniz Fatema Kakoli (Physics Department), Professor Dr. Md. Zulfiqar Mahmud (Computer Science and Engineering Department), and Associate Professor Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman (Department of Islamic History and Culture) were named as assistant commissioners.
 
END/AJ/SMA/