DEsk Report,
Chhatra Dal alleges lack of ‘level playing field’, attempts to sabotage DUCSU elections
The Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Union held an emergency press conference on Monday night over the violation of the code of conduct in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections and the extension of the time for withdrawing nomination papers.
Chhatra Dal alleges lack of ‘level playing field’, attempts to sabotage DUCSU elections
The organization said that the Chhatra Dal’s complaint that there is no ‘level playing field’ (equal opportunity for all) is an attempt to sabotage the DUCSU elections. Through such statements, a kind of pressure is being created on the Election Commission, which is actually creating a situation to destroy DUCSU’s ‘level playing field’.
Abdul Quader, the convener of the Dhaka University branch of the Democratic Students’ Union and DUCSU VP candidate, said these words in a written statement at an emergency press conference at the Payra premises of the TSC of Dhaka University. Abdul Quader said, ‘The process of DUCSU elections, which has been the long-awaited and expected goal of Dhaka University students, has begun. But we are deeply concerned that the biased behavior of the Election Commission is giving advantage to special groups. We strongly condemn such attempts.’
The written statement said that some candidates tried to collect nomination papers at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall even after the specified time for collecting nomination papers had passed. The general students of the hall protested against this. Although a clear code of conduct was violated here, no action was taken against the accused. On the contrary, the Nationalist Chhatra Dal has called the students’ resistance a ‘mob’, which they clearly consider a violation of democratic rights.
The organization believes that such behavior destroys the spontaneous protest movement against the bias of the administration that has developed since the July Revolution. The incident at Fazilatunnesa Hall is being investigated by identifying it as a ‘disgrace’. Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Union sees this as a clear farce. Although the code of conduct is clearly mentioned in the collection of nomination papers, Tanvir Bari Hamim, the convener of Jasimuddin Hall of Chhatra Dal, entered the procession and chanted slogans. Abdul Quader also mentioned that this is a violation of the code of conduct and a punishable offense. He said, “I am noticing a strange silence from the administration. This creates a fear that the DUCSU elections will not be held fairly and impartially.”
Quader also said at the press conference that despite giving enough time, the time for collecting nomination papers has been extended by one more day at the last minute. Through this, the violation of rules in Fazilatunnessa Hall is being encouraged and legitimacy is being created. The Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Union is viewing this activity as an attempt to delay the DUCSU elections. Also present at the press conference were Democratic Students’ Union convener and DUCSU GS candidate Abu Baker Majumder, organization spokesperson and AGS candidate Ashrefah Khatun, and member secretary Zahid Ahsan.
The time for distribution and receipt of nomination papers for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections has been extended by one day. This information was given in a press release sent by the university authorities on Monday night.
Voting for the DUCSU elections will be held from 8 am to 3 pm at designated polling stations on September 9.
