To ensure a fair and secure Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, Bangladesh Army personnel will be deployed at seven strategic points on the campus as a “striking force.”
Additionally, army personnel will also take custody of the ballot boxes until the results are officially announced.
Chief Election Commissioner Professor Jasim Uddin shared these details during a meeting on Tuesday at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, where candidates contesting various DUCSU positions in the upcoming DUCSU election gathered to discuss the election code of conduct.
Prof Jasim Uddin stated that no outsiders will be allowed to stay in the university residential halls for seven days prior to the election.
On election day, only registered voters will be permitted on campus. A high-level security meeting has already been held with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, who confirmed DMP’s coordination with the election authorities.
In an effort to restrict outsiders, the Dhaka University Metro Station will remain closed on September 8 and 9.
Regarding the counting process, the Chief Election Commissioner confirmed that results will be declared at each respective polling centre. As a result, students may be able to count unofficial totals before the official announcement is made.
During the meeting, a section of the candidates demanded that the exam be postponed during the DUCSU elections. However, Returning Officer Kazi Maruful Islam rejected the proposal, stating, “No exams will not be postponed for DUCSU election.”
He also said that candidates will not be allowed to run any campaign by disrespecting the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July Uprising.