Pro-BNP teachers not contesting in Duta polls

Election to the executive committee of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) will be held on December 30, with the pro-BNP "white panel" not contesting.

Although some of the pro-BNP teachers had collected nomination forms, they declared at a press conference yesterday that they will not be contesting in the elections.

The white panel teachers wrote to the president-general secretary of the organisation and election director on December 9,  urging them to postpone the election citing the Covid-19 pandemic and some other reasons.

The Awami League backed "blue panel" teachers, however, decided to take part in the polls and are now discussing among themselves on formation of their panel.

"To combat the second wave of coronavirus pandemic, government has stressed on maintaining social distance. The risk of contamination will increase due to the gathering on the polls day. Besides,   our normal academic activities has remained suspended since March. Under these circumstances, holding the polls will create negative impression about us in students' and people's minds," reads a statement of white panel.

"Also, the tenure of other statutory bodies like senate, syndicate, finance committee has been expired but the authorities did not take make any arrangement for those due to the Covid-19 situation. We do not think arranging Duta polls is logical where there is a great risk of spike in contamination," added the statement, signed by panel convener Prof ABM Obaidul Islam.

Several pro-BNP teachers also told this correspondent that the white panel will not take part in the polls if it is held on December 30.

On the other hand, pro-AL (blue panel) teachers validated their demand by saying that  holding the polls is mandatory as per the constitution.

They also proposed to hold faculty-based or online-based polls considering the Covid-19 situation.

Prof Abdus Samad, convener of blue panel, said,  "We will ensure and maintain proper hygiene. If there were 10 polling booths in previous years, we will arrange 50 this year. Besides, we will avoid person-to-person election campaigning and do  it online."

"The constitution mandates to hold this election every year and Duta is the platform through which Dhaka University teachers can raise voice on any national issue," he added.

Sources in the teachers' body said the executive body of Duta held a meeting on December 6 on whether the polls should be held. A faction of pro-AL blue panel teachers opined that the tenure of incumbent committee be extended.

But another faction -- vying for the top posts -- demanded holding the polls saying that the charter mandates so.

Later the teachers' body sought opinion from all executive members on the decision of holding election.

Prof  Md Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan of marketing department will be conducting the election.

According to the election manifesto, voting will take place between 10am to 2:30pm at the university teachers' club.

Earlier, white panel convener Prof ABM Obaidul Islam said, "We may collect some nomination forms. Even if we do, we will hold a meeting to decide whether we will contest the polls."

Selection of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidacy and final list of candidates will be completed by December 20.

Talking to The Daily Star, Prof Zakir Bhuiyan said the executive body of the incumbent  committee -- which will be in charge till December 31 -- took the decision of holding election and entrusted him with the duty of conducting the polls.

"Only they [executive body] have the jurisdiction to cancel or postpone the polls. I was only given the responsibilities of conducting  the election," he added.

Duta general secretary Prof Md Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan said, "The decision was taken unanimously at the executive meeting and we will hold it following health and hygiene guidelines."