Candidates in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union and hall union elections and their supporters on Saturday continued their campaign in a bid to reach the voters as much as they could as the campaign is going to end today.
Unlike previous days, when they campaigned in large groups, they went to the voters alone or with one or two companions so that more groups could reach more voters to seek votes and convey their messages to the common voters.
They avoided any activity that might annoy students, as group campaigning or taking photos and videos is often not welcomed by the voters, especially the female voters.
The elections are scheduled for September 9.
During visits to TSC on Saturday at Madhur Canteen, Arts Building, cafeteria, Ducsu Bhaban, Mall Chattar, central library and social science faculty area on the campus, the candidates and their supporters, either alone or in a small group of two or three, were talking to and distributing leaflets among the voters in a festive mood.
At the residential halls, candidates including Chhatra Dal’s vice-president candidate Abidul Islam Islam, Islami Chhatra Shibir’s vice-president candidate Sadiq Kayem, and Boishommyo Birodhi Sikkharthi Snagsad panel Abdul Kader carried out campaigns on the day.
During campaigning in front of the Senate Bhaban, Chhatra Dal’s assistant general secretary candidate Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed requested journalists not to take photos while he was seeking votes from the students, saying that such acts were not well received by voters.
At TSC, Ducsu for Change vice-president candidate Bin Yamin Mollah campaigned alone with leaflets while his supporters stood at a distance. Similar cautious behaviour was observed among almost all candidates.
Shibir’s Oikkoboddho Sikkharthi Jot vice-president candidate Abu Sadiq Kayem on Saturday accused the DUCSU election commission of unprofessional behaviour while speaking to reporters in front of Bijoy Ekattor Hall.
At a briefing in front of the returning officer’s office at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, Tanvir said, ‘Failing to win students’ confidence in field politics, many are resorting to online platforms to smear organisations and individuals. Such activities will damage the democratic electoral environment of the DU campus.’
Earlier, Chhatra Dal leaders submitted a memorandum to the chief returning officer demanding a ban on Facebook groups engaged in online harassment, bullying and smear campaigns, and exemplary punishment for those involved.
Chief returning officer professor Mohammad Zashim Uddin said that more polling booths would be set up to ease voters’ sufferings during the DUCSU and hall union elections.
Speaking at the daily press briefing at Senate Building at around 5:30pm, he said, ‘We are not under any kind of pressure. We are, however, heavily burdened with work and struggling to finish everything on time.’
