The voting for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections has been completed.
Voting commenced at 8:00 AM today, Tuesday, at eight polling centers and concluded at 4:00 PM. The results are currently pending.
Entry to the centres will be prohibited after 4:00 PM; however, individuals already in line within the facilities will be permitted to cast their votes beyond the deadline.
A significant number of voters participated in this election. Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, asserted that there was no deficiency in transparency about the DUCSU election. At approximately 3:00 PM, during a visit to three polling centers at the Senate Building, the Vice-Chancellor informed reporters that over 70 percent voter turnout had already been documented at several locations. Students in line beyond 4:00 PM will still be permitted to vote.
The Vice-Chancellor stated, “A minor issue arose at Curzon Hall due to an error.” We acted promptly. We shall undertake an additional inquiry and implement measures if culpability is established.
It is noteworthy that at Curzon Hall, one voter was erroneously issued two ballots. The polling officer in question was subsequently reassigned.
The election ended peacefully with stringent security measures in place. Nevertheless, specific candidates expressed apprehensions about the voting procedure.
Abidul Islam, the vice-presidential candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel, asserted that his aspiration to engage in the DUCSU election was hindered. In a statement to the media at approximately 2:00 PM following his vote, he remarked: “There is a renewed effort to subvert democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.” I have recently used my right to vote; nonetheless, the prevailing atmosphere is unfavorable.
In the morning, SM Farhad, the General Secretary candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported panel United Students’ Alliance, asserted that numerous violations transpired during the DUCSU election. He stated that despite notifying the electoral commission, no measures were implemented, and he accused the panel of exhibiting partiality.
Khairul Hasan, the GS candidate from the Conscious Students’ Union panel of Islami Chhatra Andolon Bangladesh, asserted that their polling agent was expelled from a voting center. At approximately 10:30 AM, he voiced this protest to the media in front of the Udayan Higher Secondary School center.
Umama Fatema, the vice-presidential candidate from the Independent Students Unity Panel, conveyed optimism regarding her prospects for victory. She also underscored her aspiration for a “free and fair election.”
During his visit to the TSC polling center, Abu Bakr Mojumdar, the GS candidate from the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Union panel, remarked, “Voting commenced in a jubilant atmosphere.” Long lines of voters have been observed at each polling station. We are optimistic that the students of Dhaka University would select capable leadership.
Meghmallar Basu, a GS candidate from the Resistance Council panel, expressed his conviction that the progressive forces represented on the ballot will prevail in the DUCSU election. He issued this statement to the media at approximately 11:45 AM outside the Indoor Games Room of the Dhaka University Physical Education Centre.
Independent VP candidate Shamim Hossain asserted that efforts were underway to diminish his vote count by propaganda and labeling on various social media platforms, in addition to specific media sites.
He expressed his concern to the media at approximately 10:15 AM after casting his vote at the Senate Building center. He stated that he had already foreseen this targeting from specific media outlets and that this propaganda was employed to sway the election results against him.
Accusations
During the DUCSU and Hall Union elections, Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, a candidate for Career Development Secretary from the Independent Students’ Unity panel, claimed that a pre-marked vote paper was discovered in the cafeteria of the TSC polling center.
Rupaiya informed journalists at approximately 12:30 PM, referencing her buddy, that they had both gone to cast their votes. The voting paper her companion received from Table No. 1 already displayed cross marks adjacent to the names of Abu Shadik Kayem, the Vice-President candidate endorsed by Shibir, and SM Farhad, the General Secretary candidate from the same panel.
In response to the allegation, polling officer Rumana Parveen Annie from that room informed Prothom Alo that the student had entered the booth with the ballot paper and, shortly thereafter, exited, asserting that her paper was already marked. The ballot was subsequently replaced for her. She stated that all other votes were subsequently examined, and no similar markings were discovered. She suggested that the student might have made an error.
Demise of a journalist in the line of duty
A journalist, Tariqul Islam, died while reporting on the DUCSU election. He fell at approximately 1:30 PM while reporting from Curzon Hall, Dhaka University. As reported by various journalists and eyewitnesses, Tariqul was found unconscious and subsequently transported to the emergency room of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead after evaluations.
Stringent security
Checkpoints were established at the entrances of Dhaka University, where law enforcement personnel were stationed. A control room was installed in the TSC area for enhanced security. Law enforcement personnel were deployed at all access points to facilitate the unobstructed passage of students. Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were in attendance.
In this year’s DUCSU election, the total voter count was 39,874, comprising 18,959 from five female halls and 20,915 from thirteen male halls.
A total of 471 individuals vied for 28 DUCSU positions, comprising 62 female candidates. In the hall unions, with 13 jobs in each of the 18 halls, there were a total of 234 positions. A total of 1,035 candidates participated in the electoral competition for these offices.
