Dhaka University authorities on Wednesday announced that all classes and examinations at the university would remain suspended on the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections day, September 9.
Earlier, on Monday, the university authorities had suspended all classes and examinations from September 8 to 10, prompting concerns among many candidates regarding the voters’ spontaneous participation in the elections.
On Wednesday, the authorities also said that regular academic activities would continue on September 8 and 10.
DUCSU elections chief returning officer Mohammad Zashim Uddin at a press briefing at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building in the evening made the announcement.
‘The decision was made fallowing demands from many candidates,’ said Zashim.
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 had criticised the administration’s decision regarding the suspension of regular academic activities from September 8 to 10.
On different occasions, they observed that a large number of the university students did not live in the university halls and the long closure would hamper their spontaneous participation in the polls.
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 ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·â€™s 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 the polls would continue from 8:00am to 4:00pm without any break.