Ducsu polls: No rule violation in VP candidate Abidul’s polling centre entry, clarifies chief returning officer

Md Abidul Islam Khan, the vice-president (VP) candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel in the Ducsu polls, did not violate election rules by entering a polling centre this morning (9 September), contrary to what the returning officer concerned had earlier claimed, the chief returning officer has confirmed.

Confusion arose over the Dhaka University Central Students' Union election code of conduct as Abidul entered the polling centre set up at the DU Physical Education Center. 

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.

Jasim added that with around 1,500 candidates this year, the university had not issued entry cards to all, as doing so could have created disorder at the polling centres.

At around 8:30am, Abidul, reportedly a voter registered at the Udayan school centre, entered the section of the centre designated for Jagannath Hall students to cast their votes.

At the time, Abidul alleged that the university had not issued any entry cards for candidates, which was why he was not being allowed inside the polling centre for the female student halls.

Returning Officer Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque, when contacted by Prothom Alo over the phone in the morning, said, "There is no provision for candidates to enter polling centres. I was at the Zahurul Huq [Hall] centre, so I am not aware of this. I will look into it."

Later, speaking directly from the Jagannath Hall polling centre, he said, "By the time I arrived here, I did not find anyone inside. No one else (candidates) will be allowed to enter this place."

Regarding the violation of rules, Abidul told Prothom Alo that he had entered the centre with the permission of the returning officer.

Disclaimer: While publishing the news article this morning, it was reported based on the returning officer's statement that Md Abidul Islam Khan had entered the polling centre in violation of rules. However, according to the code of conduct, candidates are allowed to enter polling centres. We apologise for the unintentional error.