CHITTAGONG, Oct 06: Candidates' campaign for the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (CUCSU) and hall council elections have gained momentum after it was commenced following the publication of the final list of the candidates on September 25.
The candidates from different panels, along with independent contenders, campaigned across campus, visiting temporary shelters, faculty areas, halls and shuttle trains. During the Durga Puja vacation, many of them went to the homes of voters in the city and Hathazari area to campaign. Panels campaigned together while independents launched individual initiatives, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the campus.
A total of 12 panels are contesting at the upcoming CUCSU election scheduled for October 15, which is being held after 35 years.
The voting will take place for 40 posts. Of these, 26 are of the central union and 14 are of the hall unions. For the central posts alone, 415 candidates are in the race, while another 493 candidates are contesting the hall-level positions.
Given the large number of candidates, each voter will receive five to six ballot papers, and students will have up to 10 minutes to cast their votes. The total number of voters' stands at 27,518, all of whom will vote with printed ballots for both central and hall union posts.
Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr Monir Uddin of the Department of Chemistry said, "The campus witnessed a festive atmosphere for CUCSU election. We want this long-awaited election to be completely free from controversy. Every step, from ballot printing to booth management, will be carried out under direct supervision of the commission. The students are eagerly waiting for casting their vote at CUCSU election."
Sources said that a total of 15 polling centres are being set up inside the five faculty buildings, each named after one of the university's 14 residential halls and one hostel. Depending on the size of the rooms, each building will house 60 to 65 polling booths. Besides, CCTV cameras will be installed across the centres, except inside the voting rooms. Large LED screens will be placed in front of each centre to display live updates of the polling process. The commission will also have the option to live stream CCTV footage if required.
Sources said, CUCSU election has already become the central topic of discussion in the campus. From hall corridors and common rooms to roadside hangouts and tea stalls the students are discussing about it. There are heated debates over the prospective leaders and the nature of campus politics after the election.
This year, candidates must go through dope tests, with any positive result leading to disqualification. A total of 936 candidates underwent dope tests so far, and all results confirmed negative by acting CU Chief Medical Officer Dr Mohammed Abu Tayub.
On the election day, voting will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM, with no candidates or supporters to be allowed to distribute voter slips within 100 metres of the polling centres. Violations of rules may result in fines of up to Tk 20,000, cancellation of candidature, expulsion, or legal action.
nazimuddinshyamol@gmail.com
