Experience gained from the recent student union elections at public universities will be useful in ensuring a free, fair, impartial, and safe national election, said Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) on Thursday.
The adviser made the remarks while briefing journalists after a meeting on the overall law and order situation and preparations for the upcoming RUCSU and CUCSU elections, held at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
He said that the DUCSU and JUCSU elections already held were conducted peacefully and without bias, and the remaining ones are expected to proceed similarly.
The adviser said that the vice-chancellors, proctors, and chief election commissioners from Dhaka, Jahangirnagar, Rajshahi, and Chittagong Universities joined today’s meeting.
“We exchanged views and experiences with them. They represent the most educated institutions in the country, and those who vote in student union elections are also highly educated. That environment gives us valuable insights,” he added.
With the next national parliamentary elections scheduled for February, Chowdhury said the government is using the student polls as a learning opportunity to refine electoral processes.
“We discussed how to use the lessons from DUCSU and JUCSU to improve the national election. We also talked about resolving some minor issues observed in the student elections,” he added.
The home adviser said we will use the valuable suggestions received in today's meeting regarding the elections in the future.
Among the key suggestions discussed were determining the number of polling stations, ensuring proper vote-counting methods, use of ink, and steps to speed up result announcements. Other topics included preparing accurate and transparent voter lists and using photo ID cards at polling centres.
The adviser assured that the law enforcement and administration have no concerns about the student elections and expressed hope that both RUCSU and CUCSU elections would be held in a fair and secure environment.
He also emphasised the need for cooperation from all stakeholders and called on journalists to actively observe and report on the election process.
Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar was also present at the briefing.