Md Al Amin Sadman and Raiyan Tahrim
The 38th election to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) was marked by fanfare and celebrations, with thousands of voters eagerly exercising their rights in the first such election in six and a half years.
For the most part, the voting, which saw massive queues stretching from polling booths into the streets of Dhaka University campus, was conducted under peaceful conditions. However, the much-anticipated election was not without controversy.
Numerous candidates contesting various posts have alleged that Dhaka University authorities displayed blatant favouritism towards the “Oikkyaboddho Shikkharthi Jote” panel, supported by Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Shibir-backed Sadik faces misconduct allegations
During the vote counting, allegations surfaced against Sadik Kayem, vice president candidate from the Shibir-backed panel, for breaching the code of conduct by entering a polling centre.
The allegation was made by assistant general secretary candidate from the Protirodh Parishad panel, Jabir Ahmed Jubel, in a Facebook post on Tuesday evening. Along with the post, he shared a photo showing Sadik standing in a room, with a clock behind him displaying the time as 5:23pm.
When asked about the allegations, Professor Mohammad Zashim Uddin, chief returning officer for the Ducsu elections, said, “No written complaint has been submitted to us regarding this matter. If we receive one, we will take appropriate action.”
Footage of pre-filled ballot incident ‘deleted’
The CCTV footage of the pre-filled ballot incident at TSC has reportedly been deleted. A candidate, requesting anonymity, stated that a returning officer had confirmed this matter.
Rupaiya Srestha Tanchangya, a candidate from the Independent Student Unity panel, alleged that a student was handed a ballot paper with boxes for Shibir-backed VP candidate Sadik and GS candidate SM Farhad already marked.
Responding to a query, Professor Zashim Uddin initially neither denied nor confirmed that the CCTV footage required to verify the incident had been deleted. “There are many cameras there, any one of those may have the footage we are looking for,” he said. Zashim later added that an investigation will also be carried out to see whether the camera was disconnected.
‘EC assisting Shibir to rig election’
Umama Fatema, VP candidate from the Independent Student Unity panel, alleged that posters for the election campaign of the Chhatra Shibir-supported panel were placed inside polling booths at voting centres.
On the spot, it was observed that posters of Chhatra Shibir, along with posters of Chhatra Dal’s central union election campaign, were placed inside the polling booths.
“Chhatra Shibir has been assisted by the election commission to rig the election,” she said.
Furthermore, Ducsu VP candidate Abdul Kader from the Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad panel claimed that in the Ducsu election, the election commission and university administration collectively assisted Chhatra Shibir in committing irregularities. He shared this information in a post on his verified Facebook account.
JCD accuses Shibir of vote rigging
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a protest procession on the Dhaka University campus, accusing Islami Chhatra Shibir of vote-rigging in the Ducsu elections. JCD, the student wing of BNP, made the allegation of vote rigging against Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, while the counting of votes was underway.
The JCD members raised slogans such as “Vote rigging, vote rigging, Jamaat-Shibir, vote rigging.” The protestors voiced their frustration over alleged electoral fraud and called for action against those responsible.
Earlier, Ducsu VP candidate from Chhatra Dal, Abidul Islam Khan, said in a press briefing that activists from Jamaat and Shibir had gathered from across the country and positioned themselves around the campus.
Despite restrictions on outsiders entering the campus, he claimed to have seen Jamaat leaders from various regions. Abidul warned that they would resist any attempt to tamper with the Ducsu election results.
No end to allegations
Meherunnesa Mim, AGS candidate from Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall union, said candidates were blocked from viewing the vote count until Sadik arrived, after which an official showed favouritism, saying, “Oh baba, you have come?”
Abidul Islam Khan, Chhatra Dal’s VP candidate, also alleged that a student at TSC received a ballot pre-marked for Sadik Kayem and SM Forhad. At a press conference, Abidul claimed that similar incidents had occurred at Ruqayyah Hall and Amar Ekushey Hall, suggesting widespread tampering.
Mahbub Khalashi, an independent candidate, accused the administration of favouring Shibir, with their candidates freely entering the counting centre while others were denied.
Johin Ferdous Zami, independent candidate for Sports Secretary, said, “Since Tuesday morning, the Shibir candidate and supporters have lined up at polling entrances, trying to influence voters, with no action from the administration or election commission.”
‘Fearful atmosphere on campus’
SM Farhad, general secretary candidate of the Shibir-backed “Oikyaboddho Shikkharthi Jote” panel in the Ducsu election, however, alleged that the BNP created a fearful environment on the Dhaka University campus.
Meanwhile, vice president candidate from the Shibir-backed panel, Sadik Kayem, accused some of trying to sabotage the election. “Those attempting to disrupt the Ducsu election will face consequences worse than murderer Hasina or Chhatra League,” he said. Kayem also accused a certain group of trying to derail the Ducsu polls.
