The election commission for the elections to Chittagong University Central Students鈥� Union on Wednesday announced that no polling stations would be set up in the residential halls.
Polling centres for the October 12 elections would only be set up in the faculty buildings, it said.
Chittagong University Central Students鈥� Union chief election commissioner Professor Monir Uddin disclosed the decision at a press conference on the campus at about 12:30pm while announcing the code of conduct for the polls.
Election commissioner Professor Amir Muhammad Nasrullah of the public administration department read out the code of conduct setting out 17 rules for candidates, voters and journalists.
The code of conduct allows candidates to campaign from the day the final list of contestants is published until 24 hours before polling. It prohibits campaign on the day before the vote. It also stipulates the campaigning hours from 10:00am to 10:00pm, banning use of loudspeakers as evening falls.
The code of conduct prohibits defamatory remarks, personal attacks or provocative statements in any form as part of campaigning, including on social media. Posters cannot be placed on university property or electric poles, while damage to rivals鈥� posters or leaflets is prohibited. Political, cultural, religious and regional organisations are barred from campaigning for any candidate. Candidates are also prohibited from taking financial contributions or donations.
Male candidates must seek permission from the returning officer before entering female residential halls for campaigning. Carrying explosives, local weapons or firearms is strictly banned during campaigning and on Election Day.
Explaining the move to set up polling centres in faculty buildings, Professor Monir Uddin said that polling centres would be at faculty buildings as majority students were non-residential and so were more familiar with faculty premises than residential halls.
The last CUCSU polls in 1990 were held at University Laboratory School, then located beside the administrative building, he said.
He said there was no fear of violence centring the election.
The highest authorities of the state gave directives regarding the CUCSU election and assured security support, he also said, he also said, adding so far, the situation was normal and there was no fear of conflict.
The draft voter list, published on September 8, included 25,866 voters.
The final voter list is scheduled to be released today.
According to the election schedule, nomination forms will be distributed on September 14, with submission accepted between September 15 and 17.
Scrutiny will be held on September 18 and the preliminary list of candidates will be published on September 21 and the final list on September 25.
Polling will be held on October 12 from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
The CUCSU polls are being held after nearly three decades.
Chittagong University, established in 1966, held its first CUCSU election in 1970, while the last election was held on February 8, 1990.