In a significant development, the authorities have made the dope test mandatory for candidates aspiring to contest in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election.
Candidates will be required to submit the test report along with their nomination papers. Any candidate who tests positive will be disqualified.
Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Munir Uddin informed TIMES of Bangladesh on Friday that candidates will be given a slip when collecting their nomination forms.
They must take the slip to the university’s medical centre for testing. Results will be available within an hour, and only the candidate will be informed of their result.
The fee for the dope test is set at Tk 375. Along with the nomination fee of Tk 300 for the central union and Tk 200 for hall unions, candidates will need to pay between Tk 550 and Tk 650 in total.
On the same day, the university’s website published the election code of conduct for the CUCSU elections, outlining 17 guidelines for candidates, voters, and journalists.
Key conditions include that no rallies or processions will be allowed during the collection or submission of nomination forms. Each candidate can bring a maximum of five supporters.
Campaigning is allowed between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM, but microphone use after 9:00 PM is prohibited.
No vehicles, band parties, horse-drawn carts, lighting, or arches can be used for campaigning. Spreading rumours, defamation, or making communal or provocative speeches is strictly prohibited during campaigns.
Candidates are also prohibited from offering food, gifts, or financial incentives to voters.
Violations of the code of conduct can result in a fine of up to Tk 20,000, disqualification, or expulsion from the university.
According to the CUCSU election schedule, voting will take place on October 12 after 35 years.
The draft voter list includes 25,752 students. Nomination forms will be distributed September from 14 to 16 and received from September 15 to 17.
The final list of candidates will be published on September 25 after scrutiny.
The last CUCSU election at Chittagong University was held on February 8, 1990.