Abidul Islam Khan, the Vice-President candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections, has called on students to respond to false propaganda and cyberbullying through their votes.
Speaking at an emergency press conference held at the university’s Madhur Canteen on Monday, Abid said, “We have never tried to harm anyone from behind. Today, after failing to face us politically, a group has resorted to disabling Facebook IDs.”
He further said since August 5 (2024), they have been facing an invisible force that stands against fair politics and fails to recognise the human rights of students.
Highlighting the efforts of his panel, Abid said, “We have fought with merit, against merit. We have promoted a fair culture in the face of a bad one. Our journey has not been just a few months – we have reached this stage after years of struggle. Tomorrow is the election. We should be focusing on that. Holding such a press conference today is unfortunate but necessary.”
He also emphasised that those who oppose freedom of expression and human rights would be answered through the ballot.
General Secretary (GS) candidate Tanvir Bari Hamim echoed Khan’s sentiments, stating, “Those who are launching cyber-attacks out of fear will be answered by the students at the ballot box.”
He warned that if what he called a ‘reactionary group’ were to be elected, they would potentially disable the Facebook accounts of 40,000 students.
Meanwhile, the official campaigning period ended at 11pm on Sunday.
According to the Election Commission, any further campaigning would be a violation of the election code of conduct.
The DUCSU elections are scheduled to be held tomorrow (Tuesday).
Voting will be held from 8am to 4pm at eight polling stations.
A total of 471 candidates will contest for 28 positions in this year’s Ducsu election.
Among them, 48 candidates are vying for the post of Vice President (VP), 19 for General Secretary (GS), and 25 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the post of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, there are 17 candidates. For Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary, 11 candidates are contesting, while 14 are running for International Affairs Secretary.
Besides, 19 candidates are contesting for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 12 for Science and Technology Secretary, 9 for Research and Publication Secretary, 13 for Sports Secretary and 12 for Student Transport Secretary.
JCD alleges certain group spreading hate online centring DUCSU
For the post of Social Service Secretary, there are 17 candidates; Health and Environment Secretary, 15; Human Rights and Law Secretary, 11; and Career Development Secretary, 15.
This time, for the member posts, a total of 217 candidates will compete.
Around 40,000 voters are eligible to cast ballots.