AL-leaning teachers sweep Dhaka University senate polls

Awami League-leaning teachers have won a huge victory in Dhaka University’s senate polls despite the division that led to some drama in the selection of candidates. 

Dhaka University Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 May 2017, 10:14 AM
Updated : 22 May 2017, 02:33 PM

Of the 35 senate spots for teacher representatives, 33 were won by teachers from the Blue Panel.

The remaining two were secured by the White Panel teachers backed by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Polling continued from 9am to 1pm at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Monday. The results were announced by Election Commissioner Prof Md Kamal Uddin.

In the polls, 1,590 voters selected their candidates from 69 teachers in rival panels.

Divisions within the Blue Panel became apparent when Teachers’ Association President Maksud Kamal submitted a list of names against another submitted by panel convener Nazma Shaheen on May 11.

The panel suggested and led by Kamal was however scrapped by the election commissioner for violating the code of conduct on May 16.

That day, the Blue Panel teachers met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League chief.

The list submitted by Nazma Shaheen was finally endorsed by other teachers after the meeting at Ganabhaban.

The White Panel, blessed by the BNP and Jamaat, had candidates for all 35 senate roles but the Blue Panel had 34 after Prof Mahbubur Rahman stepped aside from the polls.

The Pink Panel of left-leaning teachers at the DU did not participate in the election.