Home adviser retired Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said that the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections, along with other student union polls, can be a model for the next national election.
‘For the first time in many years, such elections are being held. So far, there have been no complaints regarding the DUCSU polls and the elections are being held peacefully,’ he said while briefing journalists at about 21:30pm after a meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee at the home ministry.
He said that the preparations for the national elections had already begun and the training for the law enforcement agencies was under way while discussions were being held with the finance ministry regarding election funding.
Responding to a question, the home adviser pointed out differences between the DUCSU elections and the national polls, observing that all the voters in the DUCSU are 100 per cent educated whereas voters come with diverse backgrounds in national elections.
‘Similarly, the DUCSU presiding and polling officers are also highly educated, which may not be the case in the national polls. Nevertheless, the student union elections will serve as a model for the national elections,’ he added.
Terming drugs as the main enemy of society, he urged all to work in unison to stop the abuse of drugs, or else the young generation will be completely ruined.Â
According to Jahangir, the drug flow into the country is increasing as the rate of seizures of drugs is increased.
Explaining why the situation remains uncontrolled, he said, the Arakan Army sells drugs. Their main source of income is drug trafficking. Since they control parts of the Myanmar border, they are freely smuggling drugs into Bangladesh.
Home adviser said that the law enforcement agencies had been asked to be more vigilant to prevent the entry of drugs into the country.
He further said that after the DUCSU, other student union elections — including Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union and Rajshahi University Central Students Union would be held in phases.
The chief adviser has given clear instructions to ensure that these polls are free, fair, and impartial, he added.
Noting that the production of hilsa fish this season has decreased, he asked the law enforcement agencies to be more vigilant to protect the hilsa fries, especially during their breeding period.
