Several panels and independent candidates contesting the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election have raised concerns over alleged discrimination in the appointment of polling agents.
Many candidates claim that the election commission has failed to provide a clear explanation of the polling agent allocation process, sparking concerns about fairness and transparency.
Umama Fatema, Vice President candidate from the Independent Student Unity panel (Shikkharthi Oikya panel), told reporters after casting her vote, “A polling agent from one centre was assigned to different centers without proper explanation. We were not clearly informed whether polling agents would be present during the vote counting.
“If agents appointed from higher authorities are present during the count, there remains a risk of undue influence.”
Some candidates have accused the election commission of showing partiality in polling agent appointments. Abu Baker Mojumder, general secretary (GS) candidate from the “Anti-Discrimination Students’ Council” panel, alleged, “The Election Commission has shown favoritism in appointing polling agents.”
Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, career development secretary candidate from from the Independent Student Unity Panel, said, “Each candidate can appoint one agent per centre. I submitted a list of eight agents, but only two were approved.”
Earlier in the day, GS candidate Md Khairul Ahsan Marzan alleged that the student wing of a political party had been allowed to deploy five agents at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) centre. “Despite having valid ID cards, agents from our panel were forcibly removed. When I directly questioned the election commissioner in charge at the centre, I received no answer. This election is turning into a farce,” he said.
