Dhaka University opens probe into DUCSU polls ‘irregularities’

Dhaka University authorities have formed a seven-member panel to investigate alleged irregularities in the Mar 11 DUCSU polls.

The committee headed by Sajeda Banu, professor of the Department of Mathematics, had been asked to submit the probe report within seven workdays, Dhaka University said in a statement on Thursday.

Other members of the committee are Md Imdadul Hoque, acting dean at Faculty of Biological Science, Md Mohiuddin, provost at Sir PJ Hartog International Hall, Shafique uz Zaman, chairman at Department of Economics, Mohammad Humayun Kabir, a syndicate member, and Sharmin Rumi Alim, professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science.

Member secretary of the committee is Assistant Proctor M Maksudur Rahman.

The DUCSU election, held after 28 years, was boycotted by all major panels, except the Bangladesh Chhatra League or BCL, over allegations of rigging.

The ruling Awami League’s student affiliate BCL won 23 of the 25 posts in the DUCSU and most seats in the hall unions, except those in the female halls, in the elections.

The university administration made a long delay to make the decision on investigating the allegations of irregularities, said Umme Habiba Benojir who contested the polls for the general secretary or GS post.

“We demanded formation of the probe committee on the election day. But the election results have been announced and preparation for the DUCSU inauguration was going on before the probe report was to be released,” Benojir, president of Chhatra Federation’s DU unit, told bdnews24.com.

She had her doubts about the fairness of the probe report. “We are sceptical about the committee members' neutrality during the investigation.”