There have been no issues with transparency in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, said Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan on Tuesday. He made the statement after visiting three polling centres at the Senate Building at 3pm.
The vice chancellor reported that voter turnout had already exceeded 70 per cent at various centres. He confirmed that students waiting in line after 4pm would still be allowed to cast their votes.
Regarding an incident at Curzon Hall, where a voter was mistakenly given two ballots, he assured that immediate action had been taken. The responsible polling officer was withdrawn, and a full investigation would follow.
He also addressed complaints regarding the distribution of “cross-marked” ballots at the TSC centre, stating that prompt measures had been taken there as well.
“The DUCSU election has now become a national issue,” the vice chancellor remarked. “We hope that all candidates, both victorious and defeated, will accept the results and acknowledge that there have been no issues with transparency.”
Earlier at 2:30pm, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha visited several Senate Bhaban centres and commented, “Students are voting in a joyful atmosphere, and we expect a high voter turnout until the end of the day.”
Security around the campus was intensified for the DUCSU elections, with police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and university security personnel stationed at entry points. Only students with ID cards and authorised personnel were allowed on campus.
A total of 471 candidates are competing for 28 DUCSU positions, including 62 female candidates. The highest number of candidates, 217, is running for membership. Additionally, 1,035 candidates are contesting for 13 positions in the university’s 18 halls.
The total number of voters for this election was 39,775, including 20,873 male voters and 18,902 female voters.
Voters were not allowed to bring bags, mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, water bottles, or any liquids into the polling stations.
This year’s DUCSU election has seen participation from nearly ten panels, including the “Shotonro Shikkharthi Oikko” panel led by Umama Fatema, Shibir-backed “Oikkoboddho Shikkharthi Jote,” Bangladesh Ganatantric Songshod-backed “Boishommyo Birodhi Shikkharthi Songshod,” and left wing “Protirodh Porshod.”
