United News of Bangladesh

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a protest on Tuesday night alleging irregularities in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The demonstration began around 8:30pm from TSC and paraded through key roads on the campus. Over 150 activists, including candidates from the JCD-backed panel, hall units and central leaders, joined the march. Earlier in the evening, JCD leaders submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission at the Senate Building and met Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan during the day, as well, to raise their allegations. A video circulating on the internet depicted heated exchanges took place between the VC and JCD leaders during the meeting. The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans against university administration calling them ‘Vote Thieves’. Additionally, they alleged that the DUCSU election was marred by vote rigging and accused the university administration of siding with Jamaat-Shibir. DUCSU election: Heated argument breaks out between DU VC and JCD Among those present were JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib, General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Dhaka University unit leaders, and a large number of activists. Pro-BNP teachers, including Prof A F M Yusuf Haider, National University Pro-VC Prof Md Lutfar Rahman, Arts Faculty Dean Prof Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan and White Panel Convener Prof Morshed Hasan Khan, also attended the gathering.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday expressed the hope that candidates backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) will win the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections. “We are optimistic about the victory of the nationalist forces (JCD panel),” he said while talking to reporters at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave. Replying to a question, the BNP leader said they have so far not received any news that might cause concern about the election. “We believe that everyone here (in Dhaka University) is educated and aware, so we do not think they will give any scope to those responsible for the election to commit any irregularities,” he said. Gayeshwar, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the conscious students of Dhaka University will elect their representatives as per their choice in a fair and credible atmosphere. “There is no reason to worry about the Ducsu election. The students are alert and know what is best,” he said. DUCSU Elections: Voting underway amid festive atmosphere The BNP leader said students belonging to different organisations could not stay on campus or carry out their normal activities for a long time during the Awami League rule. He said only the ruling party’s student body could carry out one-sided activities during that period, while other parties did not get the slightest scope to expand their activities on the campus. After the fall of the Awami League regime, he said student organisations returned to the campus within a short time. “So, I hope the students, using their intellect and judgement, will elect qualified leadership.” Earlier, Gayeshwar along with leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal paid homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave, marking the 47th founding anniversary of BNP’s women’s wing. All eyes on DUCSU election: Voting begins amid enthusiasm, hope Turning to the national election issue, the senior BNP leader said their party aims to build a self-reliant Bangladesh by implementing its 31-point proposal, if voted to power. “BNP wants to build a country that stands on its own feet, not one that depends on others,” he said. Gayeshwar said the nation has long been struggling to give democracy an institutional shape and to establish the rule of law, good governance, equality, justice, people’s rights and women’s safety and empowerment. He recalled that Ziaur Rahman took various programmes while Begum Khaleda Zia created a separate ministry for women to ensure their dignity and rights. “Half of our population is made up of women, and the country cannot progress if they are left unemployed at home.” The long-awaited DUCSU and hall union elections are currently underway in a festive and peaceful atmosphere across eight polling centres on campus. A total of 471 candidates are contesting for 28 posts in this year’s DUCSU election. A total of 39,775 students are registered to vote in the elections, including 20,873 male and 18,902 female students.  

Voting in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections has been continuing smoothly and fairly and no major disruptions were reported as of 1:30pm, said Chief Returning Officer Professor Dr Md Jasim Uddin. Students are voting spontaneously and the overall atmosphere at polling centres  is peaceful, he told reporters. “There have been no significant incidents. One of the complaints received from two centres turned out to be a misunderstanding and immediate action has been taken in the other cases,” he added. Voting will continue until 4:00pm at eight polling centres on the campus.    

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed Vice President candidate Abidul Islam Khan allegedly entered a polling centre at Dhaka University’s Physical Education Centre Tuesday morning in violation of the electoral code of conduct during the ongoing DUCSU and hall union elections. Abidul, a registered voter of the Udayan School & College polling centre, allegedly entered the area designated for Jagannath Hall students around 8:30am. Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque, the returning officer in charge of the polling centre, said that candidates are not permitted inside polling  centres. “I was at Zahurul Haque Hall at the time. I don’t know about this incident yet, but I’m looking into it,” he said. “When I arrived here I didn’t find anyone inside,” he added.  

A polling officer has been relieved of duty after he ‘unintentionally’ handed over two ballot papers to a voter during the ongoing Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The incident took place at Amar Ekushey Hall polling center on the second floor of Curzon Hall, according to a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office. The press release said polling officer Ziaur Rahman was immediately withdrawn from election duty after the matter came to light. Although the voter concerned acknowledged that the incident was a mistake and not a deliberate act the university administration resolved the issue instantly after it was reported, it said.

Umama Fatema, VP candidate for an independent panel in the DUCSU elections, has expressed concern over the violation of code of conduct in the ongoing DUCSU and hall council elections. “We are concerned whether there is level playing field in the elections, there are many incidents of code violation at the polling centers, candidates are entering centers and distributing leaflets violating codes,” she said. Umama said they are happy to see that students are aware of their rights. Earlier, the former spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement cast her vote on the ground floor of the Geology Department.    

Anid Hasan, a candidate from the ‘‘Swatantro Shikkarti Oikya’ (Umama-Sadi-Zahed) panel, has withdrawn his candidacy for the post of Literature and Cultural Secretary in the ongoing Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall unions elections. Shortly before voting began on Tuesday, Anid announced his withdrawal via a Facebook post and full support for Chhatra Dal-backed candidate Abu Hayat Md Zulfikar Jisan, who is contesting for the same post. DUCSU polls: Sadik Kayem urges peaceful voting, denounces code violation In the post, Anid wrote: “In the greater interest of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and for building a free, inclusive, and progressive cultural environment on campus, I, Anid Hasan, am withdrawing my candidacy for the post of Literature and Cultural Secretary in the DUCSU 2025 election in support of my elder brother Abu Hayat Md Zulfikar Jisan.” Earlier, voting began on Tuesday morning amid much enthusiasm among students-for many this is the first experience of voting free from fear. After casting his vote, one student expressed his excitement, saying, “This is the first time I’ve voted, and I’m very happy to have the chance to choose a leader who will represent my voice.” Bangladesh boards ‘election train’ with DUCSU polls: Farooki He also urged fellow students to come to the polling station and cast their votes. The voting will continue till 4pm at eight polling stations. A total of 39,775 students are set to cast their votes in the elections.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Vice President candidate Sadik Kayem on Tuesday called on all candidates and voters to act responsibly to ensure a free and fair DUCSU election. He made the remarks in response to a reporter's question regarding alleged violations of the election code of conduct by a certain group. All eyes on DUCSU election: Voting begins amid enthusiasm, hope "Through this election, the spirit of the July Movement will prevail," he added. Sadik also urged students to support the candidates of their choice, saying, “Through this election, we want to establish a positive democratic transition.” Earlier in the day, he cast his vote at the Udayan School & College polling centre around 8:30am. Shibir, Chhatra Dal-backed VP, GS candidates cast votes in DUCSU elections Voting that began at 8am will continue until 4pm at eight polling centers. A total of 39,775 students are set to cast their votes in the elections.  

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Vice President candidate Sadik Kayem and Chhatra Dal-backed General Secretary candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim cast their votes on Tuesday morning as polling began for the long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall unions elections. Both candidates voted at the Udayan School & College polling centre around 8:30am. After casting his vote, Sadik Kayem urged students to back their chosen candidates, saying, “Through this DUCSU election, we want to establish a positive democratic transition.” Meanwhile, GS candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim expressed satisfaction with the overall election process. He predicted a voter turnout of 80–85 percent and voiced optimism about his prospects. Polling is scheduled to continue until 4:00pm in eight centres on campus. This year, 471 candidates are vying for 28 positions, following 13 days of vigorous campaigning in a festive atmosphere where candidates employed various creative methods to reach and persuade voters. A total of 39,775 students, including 20,873 male and 18,902 female voters, are eligible to cast ballots in this election. Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken stringent security measures to ensure order during the polls. These include check-posts at campus gates, regular patrols, officers with body cameras, SWAT teams, bomb disposal units, intelligence surveillance, CCTV monitoring and special forces patrols. Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been deployed. A total of 1,771 police officers were on duty Monday, with another 2,096 deployed on Tuesday.