Suspended National Citizen Party leader and general secretary candidate from a panel Mahin Sarker on Friday withdrew himself from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections announcing his support for the GS candidate from another panel Abu Baker Mojumder.
Besides, DU witnessed a festive atmosphere on the day as usual as the candidates in the elections kept campaigning on the campus for the 11th day ahead of the polls scheduled to be held on September 9.
At an emergency press conference in the morning, Samannito Shikkharthi Sangsad panel’s Mahin urged his supporters to vote for Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad-led Baishamyabirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad panel’s GS candidate Baker.
‘If Abu Baker wins, I will win too,’ said Mahin, stating that his decision was aimed at keeping the ‘strength of the mass uprising’ united.
Mahin was suspended as the NCP joint member secretary on August 18 for breaching party discipline by participating in the DUCSU elections without seeking permission from the party.
Addressing his supporters, he said, ‘Since candidature can’t be withdrawn now, my name will remain on the ballot, but I urge you to elect Abu Baker. I am expressing my full support for him.’
Samannito Shikkharthi Sangsad panel VP candidate Jamal Uddin Khalid at a press briefing in the evening criticised party-loyal student politics and alleged that some from the ministerial enclave and others were pressurising the panel candidates to leave the race for which their polls activities were being hampered.
Jamal said that Mahin took his decision by himself to drive the final nail in the coffin of his political career, but the other candidates would continue their race.
He urged the students to remain alert so that none could sell the emotion behind the Ju ly mass uprising as it was not owned by only one group.
On the day, a cheerful electoral atmosphere was witnessed as soon as the Jumma prayers ended when candidates from different panels and independent ones started engaging with voters in halls and the campus area to distribute leaflets and manifestos.
As per the election scheduled, the campaign will end on Sunday.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal–backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan offered prayers at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall and later pledged to establish new residential halls, if elected.
He alleged that a vested quarter, failing to fight politically, was carrying out propaganda and cyber bullying.
Despite repeated approaches to the election commission, such conspiracies could not be stopped, he claimed.
Meanwhile, Islami Chhatra Shibir panel’s VP candidate Sadik Kayem during his campaign at Surja Sen Hall accused the administration of non-cooperation.
He said that eight polling centres were insufficient for the elections.
Meanwhile, complaints were raised against Shibir panel GS candidate SM Farhad for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct by campaigning inside a classroom on Thursday.
Witnesses said that on Thursday at about 10:30am, Farhad, along with a panel member, entered a first-year classroom at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research and carried out campaign activities. Several students present in the classroom confirmed the information.
According to section 6(cha) of the DUCSU electoral code, no campaign is allowed in places where academic activities may be disrupted, including classrooms, libraries and examination halls.
Regarding the allegation, the election taskforce convener Professor Golam Rabbani at a press briefing on Friday said that he had not received any written complaint in this regard yet, but a photograph had been sent to him.
‘I will take action regarding the matter,’ he said.
He also mentioned that the taskforce issued a show-cause notice to Facebook page admin Zulias Cizar Talukdar for not shutting down the page, which spread propaganda and character assassination of the candidates, despite previous warnings. Â
The chief returning officer at the briefing announced that four special awareness meetings would be held by all the faculties and institutes at the university on Sunday to inspire students to cast their votes on September 9.
The previous DUCSU polls were held on March 11, 2019, after a 28-year gap.
