Strict action if attempts made to foil DUCSU election, says DMP chief

Police are ready to support the election process in line with EC guidelines, he says

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sazzat Ali has warned of tough action if attempts are made to derail the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

He also said police are fully prepared to assist in the process in line with all instructions from the Election Commission.

The warning came on Monday during a coordination meeting at DMP Headquarters on overall election security and traffic management.

The meeting took place amid a day of legal drama, with the High Court issuing an order suspending the DUCSU polls, only for the Appellate Division to suspend that order within an hour.

In his remarks, the DMP chief said coordinated efforts from all government agencies are “essential” to ensure a safe and smooth election.

He added that joint work across institutions would make it possible to hold a fair and peaceful vote.

Earlier in the day, the High Court ordered a stay on the DUCSU election until Oct 30 following a petition over general secretary candidate SM Farhad.

The court also ordered the university’s election tribunal to investigate the issue and submit a report within 15 days.

The stay order triggered protests on campus, which continued until Farah Mahbub, the Appellate Division’s chamber justice, suspended the High Court’s order in the afternoon, following a plea by Dhaka University authorities.

Md Shishir Manir, a lawyer for the university, said the interim order from the chamber court meant there were no longer any legal obstacles to proceeding with the election.