A number of aspirants in the upcoming elections to the Dhaka University Central Students鈥� Union and hall unions on Sunday demanded strict action against cyber bullying and violation of the electoral code of conduct.
They alleged that many of the aspirants, especially female aspirants, were facing bullying and harassment on social media platforms.
The elections are scheduled for September 9.
Meanwhile, the university administration sent a letter to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission chairman requesting an immediate shutdown of several Facebook pages and groups, including Dhaka University Nirapotta Mancha, Dhaka Bishwabidalaya Sikkharthi Sangsad-1 and Dhaka Bishwabidalaya Sikkharthi Sangsad-2 until September 10, said a university press release.
DUCSU candidate for social welfare secretary, Shima Akhter, alleged in a Facebook post on Sunday that, after posting her campaign message on the Dhaka Bishwabidalaya Sikkharthi Sangsad -2 group, she was harassed by her own classmates on the campus.
Some aspirants also demanded that the authorities should suspend examinations on the days before the polls and increase the number of polling centres.
According to the commission assigned to hold the elections, over 39,000 voters will cast their votes in eight polling centres on the campus.
Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi and Meghmallar Bose-led left student organisations鈥� panel, Pratirodh Parshad, at a press conference at Madhu鈥檚 Canteen raised their six-point demand, including strict implementation of the electoral code of conduct and relocating and increasing the number of polling centres.
Without mentioning any name, the panel鈥檚 aspiring candidate for the post of assistant general secretary Jabir Ahmed Jubel alleged that some incidents of electoral code of conduct violation, such as distributing Qurans in front of the art鈥檚 building, collecting nomination paper with procession, obstructing to collect nomination papers and campaigning in different halls and mosques, had already taken place.
鈥楢uthorities must take strict actions to implement the electoral code of conduct,鈥� he demanded.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal panel鈥檚 general secretary candidate Shaikh Tanveer Bari Hamim at a press briefing alleged that there existed no level playing field and a panel was organising programmes to campaign, violating the electoral code of conduct.聽聽
Islami Chhatra Shibir-led panel 鈥極ikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote鈥� at a separate press briefing also urged the authorities to postpone the examinations scheduled to be held before the elections.
Four students of the university, Md Jakaria, Ridwan Mondol Rifat, Fatima Tasnim Zuma, and Sakibunnahar Tamanna, on Sunday sought a High Court directive on the university authorities to ensure protection of DU students鈥� right to privacy of personal data and information by denying public access to the voter lists.
Later, the university authorities barred public access to the voter list, said a university press release.
On Sunday morning, a group of aspirants announced a new panel titled 鈥楽amannita Chhatra Oikya鈥�. As a result, at least 11 panels are going to contest in the DUCSU elections.
From the new panel, Jannati Bulbul will contest for the post of vice-president, Mahmudul Hasan for general secretary and Talha Negaban for the post of executive member.