Ducsu polls: Shibir-backed panel leading in top three posts
The voter turnout in the much-awaited Ducsu polls is 78.33%
Highlights:
- Poling began at 8am and ended at 4pm
- Candidates crowded voters outside centres
- Polling officer removed for mistakenly handing over 2 ballot papers to a voter
- Candidates express concern over irregularities
- No rule violation in VP candidate Abidul's polling centre entry, clarifies chief returning officer
Candidates backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir have taken the lead in the top three posts of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) elections, according to the latest results from several polling centres.
Md Abu Shadik (Kayem) is leading the race for vice president (VP), SM Farhad for general secretary (GS), and Md Mohiuddin Khan for assistant general secretary (AGS).
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4:30am
Shadik leads in Ruqayyah Hall
The results from TSC polling centre have been announced. Students from Ruqayyah Hall cast their votes at this centre.
In this hall, for the vice president (VP) post, Shadik Kayem received the highest number of votes, totaling 1,472. Among other candidates, Umama Fatema received 614, Abidul Islam 575, and Shamim Hossain 684 votes.
For the general secretary (GS) post, SM Forhad leads with 1,120 votes. Among others, Arafat Chowdhury bagged 664, Meghmallar Basu 780, Tanvir Bari Hamim 447, and Abu Bakar Mojumdar 241 votes.
4:10am
Shadik leads in Zahurul Haque Hall
In Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, for the VP post, Shadik Kayem received 896 votes, Abidul Islam 314, Umama Fatema 96, Abdul Kader 87, Bin Yamin Molla six, and Shamim Hossain 194 votes.
For the GS post, SM Forhad secured 670 votes, Tanvir Bari Hamim 409, Meghmallar Basu 140, Arafat Chowdhury 220, and Abu Bakar Mojumdar 89 votes.
4:00am
Shadik leads in SM Hall
In Salimullah Muslim Hall, for the VP post, Shadik Kayem received 303 votes, Abidul Islam 110, Umama Fatema 34, Abdul Kader 21, Bin Yamin Molla six, and Shamim Hossain 50 votes.
For the GS post, SM Forhad got 237 votes, Arafat Chowdhury 66, Meghmallar Basu 41, Tanvir Bari Hamim 124, and Abu Bakar Mojumdar 18 votes.
3:25am
Abidul leads in Jagannath Hall
The results from the Physical Education polling centre have been announced. Students from Jagannath Hall, Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, and Salimullah Muslim Hall cast their votes at this centre.
In Jagannath Hall, for the VP post, Chhatra Dal candidate Abidul Islam Khan leads with 1,276 votes. Shibir's Shadik Kayem secured 10 votes, Umama Fatema 278 votes, Abdul Kader 21, Bin Yamin Molla five, Shamim Hossain 171, and Tasnim Afroz Imi 11 votes.
For GS post, Meghmallar Basu leads with 1,170 votes. SM Forhad got five votes, Tanvir Bari Hamim 398, Arafat Chowdhury 169, and Abu Bakar Mojumdar 27 votes.
3:00am
Shadik leads in Shamsunnahar Hall
The results from the University Laboratory School and College centre have been announced. Students from Shamsunnahar Hall cast their votes at this centre.
According to the announcement, for the VP post, Shadik Kayem bagged 1,114 votes, Abidul Islam 434 votes, Umama Fatema 403, Shamim Hossain 412, Abdul Kader 59, and Bin Yamin Molla four votes.
For the GS post, SM Forhad received 814 votes, Meghmallar Basu 517, Abu Bakar Mojumdar 132, and Tanvir Bari Hamim 312 votes.
2:30am
Shadik leads in Sufia Kamal Hall
The results of the Geology Department centre have been announced. Students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall cast their votes at this centre.
For the VP post, Abu Sadiq leads with 1,270 votes. Among others, Umama Fatema got 547 votes, Shamim Hossain got 485 votes, Md Abidul Islam 423 votes and Abdul Kader 55 votes.
For the GS post, SM Forhad secured 964 votes. He was followed by Meghmallar Basu with 507 votes.
2am
Shibir-backed candidates lead the race as result announcements ongoing
Shortly after 1:30am, election officials started announcing the results of Curzon Hall polling centre.
Students of Amar Ekushey Hall, Shahidullah Hall and Fazlul Huq Hall cast their votes at the Curzon Hall polling centre.
Amar Ekushey Hall
As per the announcement, in Amar Ekushey Hall, Abu Shadik Kayem leads with 644 votes for the VP post, while Abidul Islam got 141, Umama Fatema 90, Shamim Hossain 111, Abdul Kader 36, and Bin Yamin Molla one vote.
For the GS post, Farhad Hossain bagged 466 votes, Megh Mallar Basu 86, Abu Bakr Mojumdar 147, and Tanvir Bari Hamim 180.
Shahidullah Hall
In Shahidullah Hall, Shadik Kayem leads with 966 votes. Among others, Abidul Islam Khan secured 199 votes, Abdul Kader 56 votes, Umama Fatema 140 votes, and Bin Yamin Molla six votes.
For the GS post, SM Forhad leads with 773 votes. His nearest rival, Abu Bakar Mojumdar received 241 votes. Among others, Tanvir Bari Hamim secured 249 votes.
Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall
In Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall, VP candidate Shadik Kayem is in the lead with 841 votes. His nearest rival Abidul Islam received 181 votes. Meanwhile, Abdul Kader bagged 47 votes, Umama Fatema 153 votes, Bin Yamin Molla six votes and Jamaluddin Khalid 22 votes.
For the GS post, SM Forhad received 589 votes. His closest rival, Tanvir Bari Hamim secured 228 votes. Among others, Abu Bakar Mojumdar obtained 381 votes.
12:20am
Countdown begins as DU Senate buzzes with anticipation for Ducsu results
Inside the Dhaka University Senate Building, students leaned forward on the edge of their seats as the final moments ticked away toward the announcement of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election results.
The air was thick with excitement of young voters eager to know the outcome of the highly anticipated polls which took place earlier on the day.
10:30pm
Results to be announced tonight
The results of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) and hall union elections will be declared by tonight (8 September), Prothom Alo reports quoting Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin.
Prof Jasim said vote counting is underway across eight centres using OMR machines.
While counting at some centres has progressed swiftly, others are lagging behind, he added.
"The votes are being counted simultaneously and transparently at all centres. Although I cannot specify the exact time, the results will definitely be announced tonight," Professor Jasim said.
Earlier in the day, polling was held from 8am to 4pm. Since then, several candidates, including those from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, have staged protests on campus, alleging irregularities in the election process.
10:10pm
No classes, exams at Dhaka University tomorrow
The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have decided to suspend all classes and examinations tomorrow (10 September).
No academic activities, including classes and exams, will be held tomorrow, said a press release issued by the university's public relations office tonight (9 September).
8:15pm
Crowds gather in TSC, Shahbagh awaiting Ducsu results; police, BGB, RAB on alert
Groups of people gathered around the TSC area of Dhaka University and Shahbagh this evening (9 September) as vote counting was underway for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) elections.
At around 10pm, police, BGB, and RAB were seen on alert at the Nilkhet intersection.
Around 1,000 people gathered at Shahbagh on Tuesday evening. By 9pm, another large procession joined them.
According to our correspondent at the scene, the crowd was not assembled under any single banner but included activists from the BNP, Jamaat, NCP, Gono Forum, Islami Andolon, among others.
7:35pm
Vote counting at 2 centres fases disruptions
Vote counting for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election was disrupted at TSC and Dhaka University Club centres due to interference by candidates, according to centre sources.
Shadiq Kayem, VP candidate of the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, entered the Dhaka University Club centre at 5:16pm after ballots were taken out of the box for counting.
Photos of his arrival circulated on social media. Observers at the centre said that vote counting had not yet begun there.
Meanwhile, at the TSC centre, Chhatra Dal-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan and independent joint general secretary candidate Hasibul Islam were seen at the entrance creating a commotion, preventing counting from starting.
Ducsu polls: Shibir's VP candidate Shadik Kayem enters polling centre during vote counting
They reportedly chanted slogans such as "vote thieves, administration vote thieves."
Abidul Islam Khan claimed that Shadiq Kayem had observed counting at the polling centre, but they were not being allowed inside.
6:50pm
Hall-wise voter turnout
According to the polling office, hall-wise voter turnout in Ducsu lections follows:
Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall: 80.24%
Amar Ekushey Hall: 83.30%
Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall: 81.43%
Jagannath Hall: 82.44%
Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall: 84.56%
Salimullah Muslim Hall: 83%
Ruqayyah Hall: 65.50%
Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall: 68.39%
Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall: 67.08%
Sir AF Rahman Hall: 82.50%
Haji Muhammad Muhsin Hall: 83.37%
Bijoy Ekattor Hall: 85.02%
Surja Sen Hall: 88%
Ziaur Rahman Hall: 75%
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall: 87%
Kabi Jasimuddin Hal: 86%
Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall: 64%
Shamsunnahar Hall: 63.67%
6:20pm
Shibir VP candidate Shadik Kayem enters polling centre during vote counting
At 5:16pm, Islami Chhatra Shibir's Vice President candidate Abu Shadik Kayem enters the room at Dhaka University Club Centre after ballots were taken out of the box for counting.
5:50pm
Curzon Hall sees highest voter turnout at 84.7%, ULAB School centre lowest at 63%
Voting for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) and hall union elections concluded at 4pm today (9 September) with significant variation in turnout across polling centres.
According to returning officers, the highest turnout was recorded at Curzon Hall, where students from Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, and Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall cast their votes. Of the 5,077 registered voters, 4,435 cast ballots, marking an impressive 87.34% turnout.
On the other hand, the lowest turnout was at the ULAB School centre, where students of Shamsun Nahar Hall voted. Only 63% of the 4,096 registered voters cast their ballots.
Other centres reported the following figures:
TSC centre: 69%
Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban: 84%
Dhaka University Club: 70%
Udayan School: 83%
Geology Department: 66.48%
Physical Education Centre: 83.3%
4:30pm
Voting ends, results awaited
The long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) and hall union elections ended at 4pm amid a peaceful environment.
Voters who were in the queues will be allowed to cast voters even after 4pm.
Chief Returning Officer Professor Dr Md Jasim Uddin told reporters that voting in the Ducsu and hall union elections has been concluded with no major incidents reported throughout the day.
Students cast their vote spontaneously and the overall atmosphere at polling centres was peaceful, he said.
4pm
Voter turnout over 70% in Dcusu polls
More than 70% voters cast their ballots in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) elections as of 3pm, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan said this afternoon (9 September).
Speaking to reporters after visiting three polling centres at the Senate Building, he told reporters that students are still waiting in line and counting will begin at 4pm.
Addressing concerns, the vice chancellor acknowledged a "small problem" caused in Curzon Hall polling centre but noted that immediate steps were taken to resolve the issue.
"We will re-investigate this incident and take action if anyone is found to be involved," he said.
1pm
Candidates allege irregularity
SM Forhad, the general secretary (GS) candidate from the Shibir-backed United Students' Alliance, has alleged that their polling agent was forced out of the center to provide an advantage to the Chhatra Dal's polling agent.
Describing such behaviour as "biased," he said, "It is unfortunate that the administration remained silent instead of taking swift action."
Khayrul Ahsan Marzan, general secretary candidate of the Yasin-Marjan-Alauddin Parishad panel - supported by Islami Chhatra Andolan and nominated by Sachetan Shikkharthi Sangsad - has alleged that their agents are being removed from polling centres in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election.
In a video shared on Facebook this morning (9 September), Marzan was seen questioning an election official about why their agents were being barred from entering despite carrying authorised entry cards.
The video caption reads, "Now I see that at the ULab [University Laboratory School & College] centre, they have let five agents from the Chhatra Dal panel enter. But they are expelling a single agent from our panel despite them having a valid card. Even after I asked directly, the election commissioner in charge of the centre is not giving any response. This is going to be a farce of a Ducsu."
Abdul Kader, vice president (VP) candidate from the Students Against Discriminations' panel, also accused the administration of bias. In a Facebook post today afternoon, he wrote that the Election Commission and university administration colluded to help Shibir and Chhatra Dal manipulate the election and commit irregularities.
Speaking to reporters at TSC, Kader alleged that both the Election Commission (EC) and the university authorities have played the role of 'silent spectators' during the voting.
"Despite conspiracies, students have come spontaneously to cast their votes. But they are being mocked. The Election Commission has always worked in favor of one group," he said.
Kader claimed that rival candidates attempted to directly influence voters inside polling centers.
He alleged that BNP-backed candidate Abid entered a centre and sought votes.
"Although I lodged a complaint with the EC, no action was taken," he added.
Meanwhile, Umama Fatema, VP candidate for an independent panel in the Ducsu elections, has also expressed concern over the violation of the code of conduct in the ongoing ducsu and hall council elections.
"We are concerned whether there is level playing field in the elections, there are many incidents of code violation at the polling centers, candidates are entering centers and distributing leaflets violating codes," she said.
12:30pm
Voter turnout high in first half of day
Students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall are voting at the geology department polling centre, which has 4,443 registered voters.
Returning Officer of the polling centre Kazi Maruful Islam told The Business Standard that he did not have the exact figure, but by noon, approximately 60% of the votes had been cast.
Students of Rokeya Hall are voting at the TSC centre. Returning Officer Prof Nasrin Sultana told The Business Standard that by 11am, about 35% of votes had been cast. Rokeya Hall has 5,600 registered voters.
At the Physical Education Center, which hosts polling for three halls, Returning Officer Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque reported that nearly 50% of Jagannath Hall's votes had already been cast by around 11am – close to 1,000 out of 2,225 voters – with long queues still visible.
By 12:30pm at the Udayan School polling centre, around 56% votes had been cast. Polling here covers four male dormitories: Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall (884 votes), Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall (votes people), Surja Sen Hall (880 votes) and Kabi Jasimuddin Hall (760 votes).
At the Dhaka University Club polling centre, students of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall are casting their votes. The total number of voters here is 4,755.
Around 10:30am, Chief Returning Officer Prof Sharmin Kabir said that turnout among students from the latter hall was higher compared to those from the first.
"Twice as many students have shown up than we expected," she noted.
However, she could not specify the exact percentage of votes cast.
Around 1,100 votes had been cast in the Senate Building polling centre within the first two hours, returning officers told TBS at around 10am.
At Bijoy Ekattor Hall, Returning Officer Prof Dr Saifullah said about 400 votes had been cast in just one and a half hours.
Another returning officer at the same hall, Sheikh Touhidul Islam, said voter turnout was good. "The hall has 2,043 registered voters. If all of them want to vote, there will be enough opportunity. There are 40 booths and seven tables available," he added.
At a Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall booth, Prof Ainul Islam said about 300 votes had been cast as of around 10am.
Meanwhile, Quazi Mahfujul Hoque Supan, provost of AF Rahman Hall, said 400 votes had been cast there.
In Salimullah Muslim Hall, around 30% votes were cast, meaning over 200 students had voted so far.
Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall saw nearly 40% of the votes cast when the report was filed, amounting to around 800.
12pm
Polling officer removed
A polling officer, Ziaur Rahman, was immediately relieved of duty after unintentionally handing two ballot papers to a student at the polling centre of Amar Ekushey Hall on the second floor of Curzon Hall.
The complainant voter also acknowledged that the incident was an unintentional mistake. Nevertheless, the university administration took immediate action as soon as the matter came to light and resolved it on the spot, reads a statement from the university's public relations wing.
The Dhaka University administration has stated that it is committed to ensuring the elections are free, fair, and impartial.
11:30am
No rule violation in VP candidate Abidul's polling centre entry, clarifies chief returning officer
Earlier, confusion arose over the legality of Md Abidul Islam Khan, the vice-president (VP) candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, entering the poling centre.
However, Prof Mohammad Jasim Uddin, the Ducsu chief returning officer, told The Business Standard at around 1pm that according to Section 12(b) of the electoral code of conduct, only election officials, candidates, polling agents and persons authorised by the returning officer are allowed inside polling centres.
"In other words, candidates are permitted to enter polling centres. No rules were violated in this case," he said.
11am
35% votes cast
Returning officers in charge of the respective centres said that an estimated 35% of votes had been cast in most polling stations as of 11am.
10:30am
Candidates try to campaign at centres
Candidates were seen distributing leaflets in front of polling centers, which caused inconvenience for students waiting in line and created an artificial congestion.
It was observed that candidates had gathered in front of the university's Physical Education Center, Curzon Hall, Udayan School, and other centres.. They were handing out leaflets and providing lists of their respective party's candidates. As a result, the entrances to these centers became crowded, making it difficult for students to enter easily.
According to the university's code of conduct, no campaigning is allowed within 100 metres of the polling centers. Furthermore, the Election Commission had banned all forms of campaigning from 7 September.
In protest of this, when Ducsu's Social Welfare Secretary AB Zobayer came to lodge a complaint at the entrance of the Physical Education Center, candidates from Chhatra Dal (student wing of the BNP) and the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad charged toward him and chased him away, calling him a "mobster."
He said, "Chhatra Dal is creating artificial crowds here and handing out the full panel list of their candidates. Since this is a violation of the electoral code of conduct, when I protested, they engaged in a heated argument with me."
Additionally, Professor Samina Lutfa from the Department of Sociology, who was present as an observer, also protested after witnessing the situation in front of the Physical Education Centre.
Regarding this issue, Professor Faruq Shah, provost of Zahurul Haque Hall, said, "We are removing the candidates. Such congestion will no longer occur."
10am
BGB deployed in campus
BGB was deployed on campus to ensure security during the Ducsu elections.
8am
Voting begins
Voting in the Ducsu polls began around 8am and queues of students were observed outside all voting centres.
7:30am
Ballot boxes sealed
Earlier, at around 7:30am, ballot boxes at each centre were shown to journalists and then sealed.
Between 7:30am and 8am, visits to the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building centre and the University Laboratory School and College centre revealed students standing in line to cast their votes.
Watch
Ducsu polls after 6 years
After six and a half years, students are once again voting in the Ducsu elections, widely referred to as the "mini parliament." Voting is taking place from 8am to 4pm at eight centres, where students will elect representatives for 41 posts — 28 in the central union and 13 in the hall unions. The polls will form the 38th Dhaka University Central Students' Union.
This year, there are 39,874 registered voters in Ducsu. Of them, 18,959 are from five female halls and 20,915 from 13 male halls.
A total of 471 candidates are contesting the Ducsu polls. Over 300 candidates are competing from 10 panels, while the rest are running independently. Forty-five candidates are vying for the position of vice-president (VP), 19 for general secretary (GS), and 25 for assistant general secretary (AGS).
In the hall union elections, 1,035 candidates are contesting for 234 posts (13 in each of the 18 halls).
Voter centre allocation
Curzon Hall Centre: Students from Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, and Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall (5,077 voters).
Physical Education Centre: Voters from Jagannath Hall, Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, and Salimullah Muslim Hall (4,853 voters).
Teacher-Student Centre (TSC): Students from Rokeya Hall (5,665 voters).
Dhaka University Club Centre: Students from Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall (4,755 voters).
Senate Building Centre: Students from Sir A F Rahman Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, and Bijoy Ekattor Hall (4,830 voters).
Udayan School and College Centre: Voters from Surya Sen Hall, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, and Kabi Jasimuddin Hall (6,155 voters).
Geology Department Centre: Students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall (4,443 voters).
University Laboratory School and College Centre: Students from Shamsunnahar Hall (4,096 voters).
