DUCSU polls: Before the count

Shadik Kayem swept Amar Ekushey Hall with 644 votes.

Umama Fatema got 90 votes and Abdul Quader got 46.

More to follow... 

Law enforcement agencies are on high alert around the Dhaka University area ahead of the announcement of the DUCSU elections. 

Police activities have been ramped up to deal with any unpleasant situation. 

At the same time, cyber teams of various organisations are active to prevent rumours.

Speaking to Stream, Deputy Commissioner (media wing) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Muhammad Talebur Rahman said police are working in coordination with the needs of the university.

He said the situation was normal, adding police will be deployed until tomorrow evening and if needed the time can be extended further.

An official of the police’s cyber division told Stream that rumours had spiked in the cyberspace as the voting has entered the last stage so monitoring had also been increased.  

Areas deemed sensitive are also under strict surveillance.

According to the Election Commission sources, approximately 80 percent of votes have been cast in the DUCSU election.

• In Zahurul Huq Hall, there are 1963 voters with a turnout of 83.43 percent. A total of 1658 votes have been cast.
• In SM Hall, there are 665 voters, 552 votes cast with a turnout of 82.93 percent.
• In Jagannath Hall, there are 2222 voters and 1831 votes cast, with a turnout of 82.45 percent.
• In Rokeya Hall, there are 5676 voters and 3907 votes cast with a turnout of 69 percent.
• In Suhrawardy Udyan, there are 4433 voters, with 2947 votes cast with a turnout of 66.48 percent.
• In Surja Sen Hall, there are 1498 voters and 1316 votes cast, with a turnout of 88 percent.
• In Kabi Jashim Uddin Hall, there are 1303 voters and 1117 votes cast, with a turnout of 86 percent.
• In Zia Hall, there are 1753 voters and 1315 votes cast, representing a turnout of 75 percent.
• In Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, there are 1609 voters and 1393 votes cast, a turnout of 87 percent.

Fascism has reared its head in the DUCSU polls through the creation of mob culture, the Islami Chhatra Andolon Bangladesh said on Wednesday.

In a statement strongly condemning and protesting the attack on Dewan Tanjim, husband of party science and technology candidate, Zuaira Akhter at TSC on Tuesday, it said such attacks were a threat to the student community.

The progressive student panel Protirodh Porshodh has accused the Dhaka University authorities of showing bias in the 38th DUCSU polls.

“Due to the entry of Sadiq Kayem and Raihan Uddin into the vote-counting room, Chhatra Dal also forced their way in using muscle power. This happened because of the administration’s biased behaviour. They are trying to ensure victory for one side,” stated Jabir Ahmed Jubel, the AGS candidate from the Protirodh Porshodh panel. 

He made these remarks at a press conference held in front of Modhur Canteen around 9:30pm on Tuesday. 

He further claimed that the administration had failed to ensure proper election management, which had led to insecurity on campus. “Outside, two political parties are in aggressive positions. At Katabon and Nilkhet, you will see Jamaat on one side and BNP on the other. Who is responsible for making the university unstable?” he questioned.

Meanwhile, Protirodh Porshodh’s VP candidate, Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi, alleged that the administration had created obstacles to the students’ democratic rights. “The administration has reached the peak of mismanagement and bias. There is no respect for rules; laws are being violated at every step, which sends a bad signal across the country,” she said.

She added that a warlike situation had developed on campus, which her panel strongly condemned. 

“We protest this. Any kind of vote rigging will not be accepted,” she warned.

All classes and examinations at Dhaka University (DU) will be suspended on Wednesday (10 September).

The information was given in a statement by the DU's Public Relations Office.

Around 7:45pm on Tuesday, several candidates and supporters of the Chhatra Dal-backed panel held a procession after reportedly finding the LED screen showing the vote count switched off for about a minute at the Dhaka University Laboratory School and College polling centre, where vote counting for Shamsunnahar Hall was going on.

During the procession, they chanted slogans calling the administration “Vote thieves” and rejecting this ‘rigged’ election.

They further chanted, “Autocrats and razakars have become one”.

Agitated activists banged on the centre’s closed door. When they found the gate shut, they began a protest march from the polling centre to the VC chattar on campus.

The Chhatra Dal candidates and activists then went to the Dhaka University Club centre, where VP candidate Abid raised allegations of ballot stuffing.

Earlier at 7:45pm, Abidul Islam Khan, VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel, along with his supporters, went from the Senate Building to the Dhaka University Club polling centre, where they engaged in a row with the officials on duty.

During the altercation, Abid told Dhaka University Assistant Proctor Rabiul Islam, “You guys have surpassed Sheikh Hasina. We are extremely concerned about the incident at Rokeya Hall. You let Shadik Kayem enter, but not us. The Rokeya Hall incident raises suspicion that there may have been ballot stuffing. None of you is certain or informed about the [DUCSU] constitution.”

SM Farhad, the general secretary (GS) candidate from the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, has urged Chhatra Dal not to bring outsiders into the Dhaka University campus, saying it may provoke conflict among students.

He made these remarks during an emergency press conference held at the university’s TSC area around 7:15pm on Tuesday. 

Claiming that Chhatra Dal had gathered activists from different districts around the DU campus, which led to internal clashes between their own factions, he said, “Now they’re trying to shift the blame for those incidents onto Shibir.

“In August 2024, Chhatra League brought in outsiders to attack students. But they couldn’t sustain that presence. If something similar happens again, the students of DU will resist them.”

Farhad further mentioned that vote rigging occurred at Amar Ekushey Hall, saying, “After the evidence surfaced, a drama was staged at Rokeya Hall to divert attention.

“Those involved in irregularities during the DUCSU election must be held responsible. No one should be allowed to pass the blame on others.”
 

Jabir Ahmed Jubel, an AGS candidate, posted a photograph on social media showing Shadik Kayem and member candidate Raihan Uddin at the entrance of a vote-counting room.

Jabir wrote in his post, "During the vote counting at Dhaka University Club, Shadik Kayem and member candidate Raihan Uddin entered the vote-counting room. No DUCSU candidate is allowed to enter the vote-counting room. What rules did Shibir's VP candidate Shadik Kayem and member candidate Raihan Uddin follow when they entered the vote-counting room?”

Earlier, Chhatra Dal's GS candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim came to the Dhaka University Club polling station and questioned, “Is there a rule that allows candidates to enter the vote counting centre? How did Shadik Kayem enter?”

In response, Assistant Proctor Rabiul Islam said, “I was not there at that time; we will have to see.” 

Another video posted by AGS Candidate of Kuwait Moitri Hall Meherun Nesha Mim shows a row erupting between Returning Officer Sharmin Kabir and female students inside the room while Shadik Kayem was present.

The video shows the returning officer saying, “Can we accommodate 471 here [in the room]?”

In response, a female voice could be heard saying, “He is a candidate and so am I.”

In a video taken later, VP candidate Rafia Rehnuma Hridi is seen questioning Returning Officer Sharmin Kabir about why Shadik Kayem was given a warm welcome and escorted inside the vote-counting room when others were left to stand outside.

She said that they followed Kayem inside after accosting the guard, which prompted the returning officer to question how they had gotten inside. They were all then instructed to leave.

In response, the returning officer said that they had locked the gate to the room at 4:00pm and that nobody was allowed inside after that time. Sharmin Kabir then said that the CCTV footage would be analysed to see how Shadik had been allowed to enter.

Abidul Islam Khan, the VP candidate of the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, alleged that the university administration failed to ensure a fair electoral process and accused the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel of committing multiple violations of the DUCSU code of conduct.

He made these remarks during an urgent press conference at 5:30pm on Tuesday, following the conclusion of voting.

Speaking on behalf of the panel, he said, “The administration has failed to uphold a free and fair voting environment. Candidates from the Shibir-backed panel ‘United Student Alliance’ rigged the election and violated the code of conduct.”

He further mentioned that at polling centres such as TSC, Amar Ekushey Hall, and the Senate Building, Shibir-backed candidates distributed lists with their names to voters, a direct violation of election rules.

“In contrast, when our panel members stood even 100 metres near the polling centre, we were obstructed and smeared with false propaganda,” Abidul said.

Highlighting a specific incident, he said, “Our nominated candidate in Rokeya Hall, Suchona, was threatened with expulsion by Assistant Proctor Manami for allegedly mentioning ballot numbers to students outside the polling centre.

“Such behaviour from a responsible official is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Addressing the allegation, he said, “This is impractical for memorising 41 ballot numbers. That’s why our candidates, while respecting the code of conduct, simply encouraged students from a distance to vote, without violating any rules.”

He demanded that such irregularities be investigated and that those responsible be held accountable.

Umama Fatima's panel, Independent Student Unity, has alleged that Shibir was allowed to enter the polling centre premises, while others were not. 

In protest, various candidates of the panel demonstrated in the TSC area of ​​the university at around 4:45pm. 

They raised slogans saying, “We do not accept Shibir’s election, do not accept it”.
 

The voting for the Dhaka University Central Students Union election and hall union elections has concluded without any major disruption. 

Polling began at 8:00am today (Tuesday) and continued uninterrupted until 4:00pm. Vote counting is now underway, and results are expected soon.

Bin Yamin Molla, the vice president candidate of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, has alleged that, unlike candidates from other panels, he was repeatedly sent away from various voting centres.

He made these remarks to the media at Dhaka University’s TSC around 2:00 pm today (Tuesday).

“After the uprising, we did not expect an election like this. I have been turned away from multiple polling centres and was not allowed to enter, even when it was within the rules. We do not expect an election process that is manipulated and influenced in this way,” he said.

Tahmina Akter, the vice president (VP) candidate from “Bishwo Insaniyat Biplob Student Front,” has declared a boycott of the DUCSU election.

She made these remarks during a press briefing held outside the university’s TSC around 3:45pm today (Tuesday).

Alleging that pre-filled ballots were being used along with various fraudulent tactics by the Shibir activists, she said, “Because of this bogus election, I am withdrawing my candidacy for the vice president position and boycotting this election.”

Umama Fatema, an independent vice president candidate for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, flagged numerous issues regarding polling agents.

“There has been a problem regarding the polling agents since last night.

“We didn’t get any specific answer from the administration about how polling agents were finalised; whose names were accepted, and whose were rejected,” Umama said.

“In the morning, we found that polling agents who were assigned to one centre were suddenly reassigned by the authorities to a completely different centre. Even female agents were sent to male polling centres.

“In fact, it wasn’t until 9:00am that we were finally able to get them to their designated places.

“Upon reaching the centres, we observed various leaflets being distributed around the polling area, and just a while ago, we heard that ballot papers marked with certain candidates’ names and stamps were found even inside the polling centres.”

Umama further said that they were currently observing the situation and would announce their next course of action after a thorough assessment.
 

At the Jagannath Hall polling center, out of 2,200 registered voters, nearly 1,808 had cast their ballots by 3:15pm, marking a turnout rate of around 82 per cent.

Confirming the matter, Hall Provost Debashish Pal said that the voting will continue till 4:00pm. “We hope to see additional students participate before the polls close,” he said.

A 40-year-old journalist named Tariqul Shibli died after suddenly taking ill inside Curzon Hall while covering the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) election. He was working as a city reporter for Channel S Television.

Around 1:30pm on Tuesday, he was brought unconscious to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

According to his colleagues, Tariqul was broadcasting live from inside Curzon Hall while reporting on the DUCSU election when he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. He was immediately rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors confirmed his death.

Inspector Md Faruque, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the incident. He said the body has been kept in the Dhaka Medical College morgue, and the local police station has been informed.

Preliminary reports from doctors suggest that cardiac arrest might be the cause of death. However, police are awaiting the autopsy report to determine the exact cause.

Masud Alam, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Zone, has said that minor problems are to be expected during the DUCSU election.

He made these remarks to the media while visiting a university’s polling centre around 1:45pm.

“There is a huge crowd, a large number of voters during the election, so minor issues may arise. We are here to assist the election commission. We will act accordingly to their directives,” he added.

SM Farhad, the Chhatra Shibir-backed general secretary candidate, alleged that the the DUCSU election has turned into a staged drama.

Speaking at a press conference, he accused pro-BNP teachers and staff of orchestrating a political show throughout the day, while the university administration remained silent.

He said journalists were barred from entering the University Laboratory School and College polling centre since morning. “I went there around 10:30am. When I filed a complaint, we were kept waiting for half an hour before being allowed to enter.”

Farhad further said a polling agent from the Islami Chhatra Andolon was removed from the centre, while around 10 agents from Chhatra Dal were allowed to remain inside.

He also accused a polling officer at Ekushey Hall of stuffing ballot boxes with pre-marked ballots. “That officer was also handing out pre-filled ballots to students. After we made these complaints public through our press conference, another BNP-affiliated official was distributing checkboxes under our name.

“This was done deliberately to divert attention from the incident at Ekushey Hall.”

Demanding immediate action, Farhad said, “I’m calling for their arrest, and they must be expelled right away. Whose agenda are they implementing?”

Accusing Chhatra Dal’s VP candidate of visiting multiple centres in violation of election rules, he said, “To cover this up, the commission is orchestrating another staged drama using their officials. This is nothing short of a betrayal. After the July mass uprising, students finally had hope in DUCSU. But this manipulation is turning that hope into frustration.”

Abdul Qader, who is running for DUCSU vice-president, has accused the DU election commission of facilitating the agenda of a particular group and ignoring the breach of code of conduct.

"The election commission is working for a particular group. We saw that Chhatra Dal's Abid even entered a polling booth, with no regard for the code of conduct. 

"We now understand why Chhatra Dal wanted to raise the age limit, allowing MPhil students to manipulate the vote. The election commission is staying silent despite the ongoing irregularities. After such a mass uprising, this kind of DUCSU election is unacceptable."

Abidul Islam Khan, the Chhatra Dal-backed vice-president candidate, alleged that the names of Chhatra Shibir-backed vice-president candidate Shadik Kayem and general secrtetary candidate SM Forhad were pre-stamped in a ballot paper at the Rokeya Hall polling centre. 

"We have gotten a serious allegation about Rokeya Hall. I was at Rokeya Hall, went inside with the permission of the returning officer, and I found the truth in that allegation. When a student was given a ballot paper and went to the booth with it, the student found that the ballots for Shadik Kayem and SM Forhad were already crossed out," he told reporters at 12:30pm today.

Photo: Stream

Sitting in a wheelchair and speaking to journalists after casting his vote at the Physical Education Centre, Meghmallar Basu, a general secretary candidate of the Protirodh panel, said, “What I have seen so far is very positive. We are about to get a fantastic election if this voting atmosphere holds. If you haven't come to vote yet, please do. There are a few minor complaints ... But overall, the participatrion is very enthusiastic .”

“We are optimistic about winning. There are some structural obstacles, but if voters turn out in large numbers, no manipulation or engineering will be able to influence the outcome.”

Meghmallar recently underwent an appendicitis surgery.

DUCSU Returning Officer Kazi Maruful Islam asked Chhatra Dal’s general secretary candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim to leave the polling centre at the geology department.

While instructing Hamim to leave , the returning officer said, “I would be happy if you just comply with this.”

In response, Hamim said, “Of course, we are willing to comply.”

The DUCSU election commission has removed a polling officer from duty after it was discovered that a student was handed two ballot papers at the Amar Ekushey Hall polling centre on the second floor of Curzon Hall.

The matter was disclosed in an official statement issued on Tuesday around noon, signed by Forrukh Mahmud, deputy director of the Public Relations Office of Dhaka University.

According to the statement, the polling officer involved, Ziaur Rahman, has been immediately relieved of his duties.

The notice further clarified that the incident was unintentional, a point acknowledged by the voter who lodged the complaint. Nevertheless, the university’s administration acted promptly to resolve the matter and is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and neutral election process across the university, the statement added.

Shadik Kayem, the vice-president (VP) candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed United Student Alliance panel, accused some candidates of violating the electoral code of conduct. 

“Despite the ban on distributing leaflets within 100 yards of polling stations, many candidates are violating this rule,” he said while visiting the TSC polling centre around 9:15am on Tuesday.

“No matter who wins this election, we think it will be a victory for the university. Because we wanted a democratic and participatory DUCSU election,” he said, expressing hope that everyone will redecorate the Dhaka University campus together.

He also mentioned that the voting environment has been peaceful so far. 

During the visit, he exchanged greetings with the students and sought their votes.

The returning officer of the polling centre designated sor students of DU's Shamsun Nahar Hall said, "The female students of Shamsun Nahar Hall have cast 26% of their votes. By 10:50am, the total number of voters was 1,064. That number has slightly increased since then."

The returning officer shared this information with reporters at the University Laboratory School and College polling centre, designated for the students of Shamsun Nahar Hall.

Arrangements have been made for the voting of 4,096 female students of Shamsun Nahar Hall at the University Laboratory School and College Center.

Md Masud Alam, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Zone Deputy Commissioner (DC) said the DUCSU election has so far been held peacefully and without disruption.

He made the remark around 10:45am while visiting the Physical Education Centre.

“There are adequate security measures  and voting is taking place peacefully and smoothly so far. Our efforts in this regard are ongoing. Students are casting their votes in an orderly manner.

There are many voters, which is why there are crowds outside polling centres, he told reporters.

Abidul Islam Khan, the Chhatra Dal-backed vice-president candidate, said that after a long time, the polls were being held in a democratic manner.

“We have made the highest sacrifices to be here today. After 5 August, none of us are each other’s enemies. That is why we all want to celebrate this election together.”

He made these remarks in the morning while visiting a polling centre.

“However, based on our experience of the 2019 election, there are some shortcomings here. For instance, look—I am a candidate but I do not have any card hanging around my neck. Many VP [vice-president], GS [general secretary], AGS [assistant general secretary] candidates are in the same situation, though everyone should have had a card.

"Of course, if we wanted to complain, we could raise many issues. But today is not about complaints, today is about enjoyment.”

Umama Fatema, vice-president (VP) candidate of the "Independent Student Unity" panel, accused several candidates of violating the electoral code of conduct.

She made these remarks during a visit to the TSC polling centre on Tuesday morning.

While visiting the Teacher-Student Center (TSC) polling centre, Umama said some candidates were entering the polling stations and approaching the booths, which constitutes a clear violation of the electoral rules.

At the centre, several candidates and their supporters were seen distributing leaflets and voter slips to students in line.

Umama said most students had already decided who they would vote for, and this distribution of leaflets and voter slips could have a negative impact.

SM Farhad, the General Secretary (GS) candidate of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed United Student Alliance, was denied entry to the polling centre at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Center (TSC). 

He later left the centre.

Regarding this incident, the university's Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Bhuiyan told the media that only voters assigned to a particular centre are allowed entry. No one else is permitted to enter any other polling centre.

SM Farhad stated that the rules must be followed.