Army to be deployed as striking force in Ducsu election
Candidates started campaigning for the Ducsu election today
The Bangladesh Army will be deployed at seven points on the Dhaka University (DU) campus as a "striking force" during the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election to ensure a fair and secure voting process.
Army personnel will also take custody of the ballot boxes until the results are officially announced, Chief Returning Officer of the Ducsu Election Commission Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin said at a discussion on the code of conduct for candidates, held today (26 August) at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building.
He said no outsiders will be allowed to stay in the university halls for seven days before the election.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
On election day, only valid voters will be permitted on campus.
"A high-level security meeting has been held on this matter with the DMP Commissioner and others. The DMP has informed us that they will be working under our authority," he added.
A three-tier security system will be in place at the eight polling centres on election day, according to the university administration.
The first tier will comprise university BNCC members and the proctorial team, the second tier will include police deployment, and the third tier will position the army at the seven main entrances.
No outsiders will be allowed to stay in the residential halls for seven days before the election. This measure will be enforced through regular patrols.
On election day, the campus will be fully sealed off. Entry will only be permitted for valid students, authorised journalists, and officials conducting the election.
Dhaka University metro station will remain closed on 8 and 9 September to prevent the entry of outsiders.
For students living off-campus, additional bus trips will be arranged on various routes to facilitate voting, with police ensuring that the buses can operate without obstruction.
Polling centres will be cordoned off until results are announced. Only those directly involved in vote counting will be allowed to enter.
According to Prof Jasim Uddin, results from each centre will be announced at the respective centre. This means students will be able to gather unofficial updates by adding up the centre-wise tallies before the official announcement.
During today's discussion, some candidates demanded that examinations be postponed during the Ducsu election period.
However, Returning Officer Professor Kazi Maruful Islam rejected the demand, saying, "No Ducsu election will take place by postponing exams."
After nearly six years, Ducsu election is finally set to take place on 9 September.
Candidates started campaigning for the Ducsu election today.
