‘Few isolated incidents, otherwise congenial atmosphere’

The Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University today said the environment of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union election was normal apart from a few isolated incidents.

“The students have shown such a democratic stance and a mentality of co-existence, which is commendable and praise worthy,” Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman told The Daily Star.

The VC’s comments come as mass protests rolled out to the streets on campus after the opposition panels boycotted the Ducsu election alleging irregularities and vote rigging.

ALLEGATIONS OF IRREGULARITIES SURFACED

Mass irregularity was reported from two girls’ halls – Rokeya Hall and Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall. Proof of irregularities were found there.

The provost of Kuwait Maitree Hall was relieved of her duties and replaced by university administration after finding proof of stamped ballots.

Also, after three hours of protests over suspected discrepancy over ballot boxes, girls of Rokeya Hall found stashed empty ballots in the hall, hidden from the election process.

There were complaints from boy’s halls that ruling party activists were hindering voting by making queue longer by standing in line even after voting.

A Ducsu vice president candidate Nurul Haque Nur was assaulted at Rokeya Hall and another attack was attempted on another VP candidate Liton Nandi.

ELECTON AFTER 28 YEARS

The atmosphere was festive at campus with students seen lining up at respective halls when the voting began at 8:00am.

The election was of particular significance because the last Ducsu election was held 28 years ago, and was the opening for students’ union election to other public universities.