Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chharta Sangsad demands change in female polling centres for Ducsu election
It says the current centres are located far from the halls, which may discourage female students from casting their vote
The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chharta Sangsad [Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council] has demanded a change in the designated polling centres for female students in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election.
Abu Bakar Mojumder, central convener of the organisation, made the demand at a press conference held at Dhaka University's Madhur Canteen at 3pm today (14 August).
Abu Bakar said the current centres are located far from the halls, which may discourage female students from casting their votes.
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He alleged that those opposed to female leadership have colluded with the administration to take this decision deliberately. He also proposed specific changes to the locations.
He suggested shifting the polling centre for Sufia Kamal Hall from the TSC to Curzon Hall, for Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Kuwait Maitree Hall from the Teachers' Club to the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, and for Ruqayyah Hall and Shamsun Nahar Hall to the TSC and an alternative centre.
He said, "It is not possible to cast more than three to four thousand votes in a small venue like the TSC, which is currently expected to handle over 14,000 votes."
"There is a clear plan here. A group does not want women to participate in the vote," he added, urging the administration to take an immediate decision on the matter
The Dhaka University unit convener of the organisation, Abdul Kader said, "Ruling parties have always tried to control students. Historically, a significant part of the resistance against autocracy has come from students."
"To maintain control, they use two main tactics. First, ruling party student organisations create an artificial seat crisis in the halls to keep students under pressure. Second, hall and university administrations often show loyalty to the ruling party by neglecting student interests," he added.
He said, "Most public university students, especially at Dhaka University, come from lower-middle-class families and face financial hardship. In such circumstances, creating artificial seat crisis allows student organisations and the administration to subject students to various forms of harassment."
He further added that recent movements were largely driven by the demand to be freed from such 'enslavement'.
