Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad expresses concern over ‘biased behaviour’ of Ducsu Election Commission
Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad has expressed deep concern over what it termed as "biased behavior" by the Ducsu Election Commission, alleging that certain groups are being given undue advantages.
In an emergency press conference yesterday (17 August) the party's Convenor Abdul Kader highlighted several incidents of alleged violations of the election code of conduct. He pointed to an incident at Fazilatunnesa Hall, where after the official deadline for nomination collection had expired, several candidates attempted to collect nomination papers.
Ordinary students protested the move, but no action was taken against the violators. Instead, the Bangladesh Nationalist Students' Party (Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal) reportedly labeled the protesting students as a "mob."
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Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad termed this as an infringement on democratic rights and accused the administration of attempting to suppress spontaneous resistance that emerged after the July Uprising.
Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad also criticised the framing of the Fazilatunnesa Hall protest as an act of "harassment," which has led to an investigation against the protesting students, calling it a "mockery of justice."
The student body further alleged that Tanvir Bari Hamim, convener of Jasimuddin Hall Chhatra Dal, entered the hall premises with a procession and slogans while collecting nomination papers—an act they claim is a clear violation of Code of Conduct Clause 2(a) and a punishable offense under Clause 17(b). The administration's "conspicuous silence," Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad argued, casts doubt on the possibility of a free and fair election.
In addition, the party strongly opposed the Election Commission's sudden decision to extend the nomination collection deadline by one day, despite ample time already being provided. According to the organisation, this extension legitimises earlier violations at Fazilatunnesa Hall and signals an attempt to delay the Ducsu election.
Responding to a press briefing by the BNP's student wing earlier yesterday, where they alleged that there is "no level playing field" in the Ducsu election, Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad dismissed the claim, calling it an attempt to sabotage the election process and exert undue pressure on the commission. Instead, they argued, such statements are themselves creating an uneven playing field.
Earlier, the Dhaka University (DU) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) alleged that a mob has obstructed its leaders of Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall from collecting nomination paper in the Dhaka University Central Student Union (Ducsu) election.
At an emergency press briefing at Madhur Canteen yesterday (18 August), DU Chatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos said, security officials were present at that time but they could not control the situation, compelling the students to leave the hall.
