Ducsu Election: Most student orgs want polling centres outside halls
All student organisations except Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's (JSD) student wing yesterday demanded that polling centres for Dhaka University Central Students Union (Ducsu) election be set up at the academic building of the university, instead of at residential halls, over “security concerns”.
Twelve student organisations made the demand during a meeting of Paribesh Parishad held at Prof Abdul Matin Chaudhury virtual classroom.
Leaders of 14 active student organisations of the campus were present at the meeting with the Vice Chancellor.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Akram Hossain said that they raised the demand of setting up polling booths outside halls as BCL has been in control of the dormitories for years.
“We have demanded to bring the polling booths under CCTV surveillance to make the election transparent,” he said.
He also urged BCL leaders not to harass their fellow students.
Razib Das, general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra Union's DU unit, alleged that there is no political coexistence at the dormitories due to BCL's dominance.
“A large number of students stay outside halls and they may not come to cast their votes fearing violence and unrest. We are urging the authorities to set up polling centres at the academic building to make sure the election is not tainted by any controversy,” he added.
However, BCL General Secretary Golam Rabbani brushed aside the allegations, saying there is no scope of manipulating the results in this digital era.
“All elections of the university were held peacefully and fairly under the incumbent administration. All activities of the university are hall-centric, so the polling centres should also be set up inside the halls,” Rabbani said.
Asked about the coexistence of different student organisations including JCD, he said they have no objection if “regular students” among JCD activists come to campus.
Concerning students' eligibility to vote, Chhatra Union General Secretary Liton Nandi demanded to include those doing evening post-graduate courses or getting a second masters degree.
Golam Rabbani replied that if they are allowed to vote, then the age limit for voters should be the same as the age limit (30) for entry into government service.
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