Two students put their ballot papers into boxes at a polling booth on the DU campus in the DUCSU election on Tuesday. — FE Photo Oikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote-nominated candidate Abu Sadiq Kayem was staying ahead in the race for VP post in the DUCSU election and SM Farhad was leading in results as the GS candidate.
According to results available from four halls of Dhaka University until 2.50am on Wednesday, Sadiq got 3721 votes, while his rival Abidul Islam Khan of Chhatra Dal bagged 944 and Umama Fatema of Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikya 930.
Abu Sadiq Kayem
In the general secretary (GS) post, S M Farhad of the Oikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote was set to win by a clear margin. At Sufia Kamal Hall, he secured 964 votes against Protirodh Parishad candidate Megmallar Basu's 507. In Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, Farhad bagged 589 votes, beating Abu Bakar Majumdar with 341. At Amar Ekushey Hall, Farhad got 466 votes, while Abu Bakar managed 187.
The results were being declared after the DUCSU election held on Tuesday.
The voting for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall-union elections was held peacefully on Tuesday, though several groups and candidates alleged irregularities during the process.
The polls were held in a festive atmosphere. Students queued at centres from early morning and voted enthusiastically.
According to the Election Commission, 78.33 per cent of the 39,874 registered voters participated. Voting began at 8:00am and ended at 4:00pm across 810 booths in eight centres.
Major candidates from student groups alleged irregularities, but the administration, including the vice chancellor and election officials, dismissed the the allegations.
Officials said they maintained order, and many students expressed satisfaction over the election environment.
Md Sowaib Hossain, a student from Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, said, "From the morning, a festive environment prevailed, and groups of students came to vote enthusiastically. Since buses were arranged from the halls, many of us travelled together. In my five years on the campus, I have not seen such a lively atmosphere."
Saudiya Islam Khan Pasha, a Ruqayyah Hall student, said, "This was my first time voting in DUCSU. I voted for my preferred candidate without fear. The process felt like a multiple-choice exam, which made me nervous, but there was enough time to cast my vote."
VOTER TURNOUT
Voter turnout varied across centres. Curzon Hall recorded the highest, with 87.34 per cent of 5,077 voters casting ballots, while Shamsunnahar Hall at the ULAB School centre saw the lowest, with only 63 per cent of its 4,096 voters participating.
At the TSC centre, 3,907 out of 5,665 Ruqayyah Hall students voted, a 69 per cent turnout.
At Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, 84 per cent of 4,830 registered students from several halls cast ballots.
The Udayan School centre recorded an 83 per cent turnout, with 5,141 of 6,163 voters participating. At the Physical Education Centre, 83 per cent of 4,861 students voted. Meanwhile, Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, at the Geology Department centre, reported 66.48 per cent turnout.
IRREGULARITY ALLEGATIONS
Allegations of irregularities surfaced throughout the day. Complaints included ballot tampering, pre-marked ballot papers, violations of the code of conduct, and restricted access for observers and journalists.
At TSC, one candidate alleged that ballot papers had been pre-marked in favour of Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported candidates.
Md Abidul Islam Khan, vice-president (VP) candidate from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), made a similar claim. Abu Bakar Mojumdar from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also alleged vote rigging.
Md Abu Sadik (Sadik Kayem), VP candidate from Shibir, alleged that observers and journalists were denied entry to a centre until 10:30am. He further accused Chhatra Dal's Abidul of breaking election rules.
At Curzon Hall, polling officers were accused of distributing pre-marked ballots favouring Shibir-backed candidates. The returning officer later confirmed the allegation and removed the responsible officer.
In a press briefing, JCD VP candidate Abidul said, "A student entered a booth and found a ballot carrying cross marks in favor of Sadik Kayem and SM Farhad. Such incidents are alarming." Independent VP candidate Umama Fatema also raised concerns about candidates entering polling centres. She accused the administration of negligence and mismanagement in handling the irregularities.
UNB adds: The leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Tuesday held a meeting with Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan to inform about the different irregularities in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections.
The leaders of JCD met the VC at the university's Senate Building to lodge their complaint about the irregularities in the election.
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