Ducsu polls: Shibir’s VP candidate Shadik Kayem enters polling centre during vote counting

Islami Chhatra Shibir's Vice President candidate Abu Shadik Kayem entered the room at Dhaka University Club Centre during the vote counting this afternoon (9 September).

Shadik entered the polling room at 5:16pm after ballots were taken out of the box for counting. He was accompanied by Shibir's member candidate Raihan Uddin.

Despite repeated attempts to contact Shadiq Kayem on his mobile phone, he did not respond.

However, Raihan Uddin, who admitted entering the polling station, told The Business Standard, "We went to the area where the vote counting was displayed on the LED screen. We were unaware that entering was prohibited. When we asked, a staff member allowed us inside." 

He stated that Bangladesh- Kuwait Maitree Hall VP candidate Rafia Rehnuma Hridi and Bangamata Hall VP candidate Nabila also entered with the room with them.

"Immediately after we entered, the returning officer in charge informed us that staying inside was not allowed, and we left promptly," he added.

Meanwhile, vote counting was disrupted at TSC and Dhaka University Club centres due to interference by candidates, according to centre sources.

Photos of Shadik Kayem's visit at Dhaka University Club centre circulated on social media. Observers at the centre said that vote counting had not yet begun there.

At the TSC centre, Chhatra Dal-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan and independent joint general secretary candidate Hasibul Islam were seen at the entrance creating a commotion, preventing counting from starting. 

They reportedly chanted slogans such as "vote thieves, administration vote thieves."

Abidul Islam Khan claimed that Shadiq Kayem had observed counting at the polling centre, but they were not being allowed inside.