Ducsu polls ‘will go down in history as a disputed contest’, says Chhatra Dal
The organisation-backed panel raises 11 allegations over the 9 Sept voting
The Chhatra Dal-backed panel has lodged 11 allegations of irregularities and misconduct in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election, claiming the polls were marred by administrative failures and partisan interference.
At a press conference today (22 September) at Madhur Canteen, Chhatra Dal's vice-president candidate Abidul Islam Khan detailed the complaints. He said that while students participated in the 9 September election with enthusiasm, the process fell short of being free and fair, with thousands effectively denied their voting rights.
Calling the election one that "will go down in history as a disputed contest," Abidul urged the university administration, "a key pillar of democratic transparency and accountability", to investigate the complaints seriously and make its findings public. He also accused the authorities of repeatedly ignoring objections and delaying corrective measures.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The panel's complaints include allegations of ballot manipulation, lack of transparency in ballot printing and verification, and irregularities in the appointment of polling officials. They also cite problems with polling agent accreditation, sudden changes in the number of polling centres, security lapses that allowed outsiders onto campus, and the exclusion of agents during vote counting.
Among the most serious claims are that ballot papers were supplied in favour of certain panels, with attendance sheets signed before voters arrived; ballot security was compromised when unsecured papers were discovered at a Nilkhet press; and polling agents were deliberately obstructed through delays in issuing ID cards and publishing agent lists.
The panel also alleged that technical verification of vote-counting machines was conducted without informing candidates, while vote counting itself was carried out without the oversight of polling agents.
Additional allegations include the use of ballot boxes that were not fully transparent, a shortage of marker pens that created errors during voting, and inconsistencies in turnout figures that the administration has yet to explain.
The Chhatra Dal panel has demanded that the university administration investigate the irregularities, publish the voter lists and CCTV footage, and take action to restore student confidence in the Ducsu electoral process.
