Ducsu polls marred in boycott spree

• All panels except that of BCL boycott

• Irregularities, protests mar election

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• Student strike called at campus tomorrow

• Resignation of VC demanded

The long-awaited election to Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) was marred today in boycott of all panels outside that of the ruling party.

Liton Nandi, leftists’ panel leader, made the announcement in a joint press briefing with other panel leaders, five hours after Ducsu elections began.

“This is a farce. We reject the election. We demand fresh election schedule and fresh voting,” said the vice president candidate of Ducsu.

After boycotting the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election panel leaders brought out a rally in the university on March 11, 2019. Photo: Star/ Rafiul Islam

ARM Asifur Rahman, an independent general secretary candidate, announced students strike at campus tomorrow to press home their demand.

They were accompanied by leaders of the quota reform panel, independent panel, and Chhatra Federation panel at the briefing held at Modhur Canteen.

Last reported, the panels and their followers and activists were staging protests at campus, demanding resignation of the university’s vice chancellor.

Later, at a separate press briefing, Mostafizur Rahman, VP candidate for JatiyatabadiChhatra Dal also announced of pulling out from the race.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal boycotts Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election at a separate press briefing on March 11, 2019. Photo: Star/ Palash Khan

Now, only the panel of Bangladesh Chhatra League headed by its President Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon remains in the race for Ducsu.

It was a 28-year wait for election to Ducsu that was marred by irregularities, physical assault on candidates and rage of protests in girls’ halls.

Nurul Haque Nur, the popular quota reformist leader and a VP candidate, was physically assaulted, allegedly by Chhatra League, during the election.

There was also another attempted attack on Liton Nandi.

Proof of irregularity was found in Kuwait Maitree Hall, for which the provost was relieved of duty. Stashed ballots were also found in Rokeya Hall.

Both the girls’ halls witnessed waves of protests from general students. Live videos of the protests were flooding social media networks.