Dhaka University witnessed a festive mood on Thursday as the candidates in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections and their supporters campaigned on the campus on the day for the 10th day.
The campaigners held rallies, brought out processions, distributed leaflets and contacted the voters in person to seek votes at different faculties, dormitories and common spaces on the campus.
Despite allegations of violating the code of conduct from different panels, no untoward incident was reported on the day.
During a visit to TSC, Madhu’s Canteen, arts building, central library and the social sciences faculty at around noon, candidates and their supporters were seen trying to draw the voters’ attention by chanting slogans and making pledges.
The chief returning officer, professor Mohammad Zashim Uddin, said that an independent observer panel, consisting of university teachers, was being formed to ensure a free and fair DUCSU and hall union elections.
Addressing a regular briefing in front of his office at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, he said that department and institute chairmen were instructed to encourage student participation, as most of the voters this year were new.
Election conduct taskforce chief professor Golam Rabbani warned of strict action against cyber-bullying, terming it the biggest challenge for the polls.
He warned that candidacy would be cancelled if any contestant was found to be involved in cyber-bullying.
The university authorities on Thursday evening issued a notice imposing a temporary restriction to be effective from 8:00pm on September 8 to 6:00am on September 10 on public entry into the campus for security reasons regarding the elections.
At about 2:30pm, Meghmallar Bosu-led panel Pratirodh Parshad brought out a procession from Madhu’s Canteen as part of its second projection meeting, chanting slogans in favour of their candidates.
The procession paraded different faculties and held several short rallies on the campus.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal panel members, including vice-president candidate Abid, conducted campaign on the campus.
VP candidate Sadik Kayem and GS candidate SM Farhad of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s panel and other candidates campaigned in front of the arts building.
DUCSU for Change panel’s VP candidate Bin Yamin Mollah campaigned in front of the DUCSU building and later announced his election manifesto.
Mahin Sarker-led panel Samannita Shikkharthi Sangsad also announced the panel’s 27-point manifesto for the elections.
Apart from leaflet distribution, candidates have also been visiting residential halls, going from room to room to seek votes, while projection meetings were held to present election pledges.
Dhaka University vice-chancellor professor Md Niaz Ahmed Khan on Wednesday night visited general secretary candidate Meghmallar Bosu, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, to enquire about his health condition, said a press release issued by the university’s public relations office.
In its notice issued Thursday evening imposing a temporary restriction from 8:00pm on September 8 to 6:00am on September 10 on public entry into the campus, the authorities said that the university’s main entry points-Shahbagh, Palashi, Doel Chattar, Shibbari Crossing, Fuller Road, Udayan School, and Nilkhet will remain closed to the general public during the period.
Individuals bearing their valid university identity cards will be allowed to enter the campus during this time.
Besides, family members of university teachers, officers, and staff will be permitted entry upon presenting a photocopy of the relevant ID card.
The administration further informed that only vehicles with valid university stickers and those involved in emergency services will be allowed to enter.
