Army dismisses rumours, says no role in Ducsu, other student union polls

The Bangladesh Army has denied any involvement in the upcoming central student union elections at different universities, saying there is no question of military deployment or interference, particularly in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election.

In a statement to the media issued today (8 September) on Facebook, the army noted that it had already clarified the matter through an official press release issued earlier.

Despite this, a vested quarter has been deliberately spreading false and baseless rumours, the statement said, terming such propaganda an attempt to undermine stability, which could disrupt the overall electoral environment.

The army expressed hope that the central student union elections, being held after a long gap, will be conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner through healthy democratic practices, setting an example ahead of the upcoming national election.

No scope for deployment in student union elections: Army

It also extended its best wishes to all candidates, voters and everyone involved in the polls.

Earlier, on 26 August, the chief returning officer for the Ducsu polls had said at a discussion that army troops would be deployed at seven points on the DU campus as a "striking force" during the election to ensure a fair and secure voting process.

He had also mentioned that army personnel would take custody of the ballot boxes until the results were officially announced.

Army to be deployed as striking force in Ducsu election

Then, on 28 August, the army dismissed media reports suggesting troop deployment in central student union elections at public universities.

The army added that it has not received any directive from the government to play a role in these elections and clarified that there is no scope for such involvement in the future either.