Dhaka University authorities on Wednesday freshly announced that all classes and examinations would remain suspended on the day of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections on September 9, while regular academic activities would continue on September 8 and 10.
DUCSU elections chief returning officer Mohammad Zashim Uddin at a press briefing held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building in the evening made the announcement.
‘The decision was taken following demands of many candidates,’ said Zashim.
On September 1, the university authorities suspended all classes and examinations from September 8 to 10, prompting concerns among many candidates regarding voters’ spontaneous participation in the elections.
Candidates from different panels, including Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s panel, Meghmallar Bose-led panel Pratirodh Parshad, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad-led panel Baishamyabirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad, Umama Fatema-led panel Satantra Shikkharthi Oikya and Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad-led panel DUCSU for Change criticised the administration’s decision regarding the suspension from September 8 to 10.
At different times, they said that a large number of the university students did not live in the university halls, and spontaneous participation of them would be hampered due to the long closure.
On Wednesday afternoon, Zashim at a separate press conference, said that all polling centres would be brought under CCTV surveillance for ensuring fair polls and no compromise would be made in this regard, reported the DU Correspondent.
Each voter will be allowed eight minutes to cast their votes, while nearly 40,000 voters are expected to cast their votes, he said, adding that polls will continue from 8:00am to 4:00pm without any break, and anyone present within the polling compound within this time will be allowed to cast their votes.
