Formal campaigning for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections began on Tuesday at 10am. According to the schedule, candidates can campaign daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM until September 7.
However, inquiries reveal that, even before the official campaign period started, multiple panels and candidates have been accused of violating the code of conduct by carrying out electioneering activities.
Among those named in the complaints are – Abidul Islam Khan, vice-president (VP) candidate of Chhatra Dal; Abu Sadek Kayem, VP candidate of the panel backed by Chhatra Shibir; Umama Fatema, VP candidate of the Independent Students’ Unity panel; and Bin Yamin Mollah, VP candidate of the “DUCSU for Change” panel, along with several other candidates.
According to DUCSU’s schedule, although multiple complaints were submitted to the Election Commission regarding early campaigning before August 26 and other code of conduct violations, it is alleged that no effective resolution has been observed from the administration.
Regarding the code of conduct violations, DUCSU’s Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr Mohammad Jasim Uddin told journalists, “The matters concerning the accused will be addressed in accordance with the collective decision of the Election Commission members.”