Chhatra Shibir panel alleges cyberbullying of its female candidates in DUCSU polls

The panel claims election conduct rules are “ignored” amid online campaigning

The Islami Chhatra Shibir panel in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election has accused rival groups of cyberbullying its female candidates.

Abu Sadik Kayem, the panel’s vice-president nominee, said their opponents, unable to match Shibir’s academic credentials, were instead resorting to online abuse and misinformation campaigns.

“They are spreading propaganda against us and targeting our sisters,” he told journalists outside the university’s central library on Saturday afternoon.

“We hope to maintain the quality and dignity of Dhaka University throughout this process.”

Sadik also criticised the current state of the university library, calling it “outdated and dysfunctional”.

“No one can borrow books, the archives are in poor condition. We will completely overhaul it and turn it into a library of international standards,” he said.

SM Farhad, contesting for general secretary from the same panel, raised concerns about privacy and access to the voter list.

“Anyone can view it, which has created discomfort for our sisters who observe Purdah. We raised this earlier, but no steps were taken.”

Farhad also pointed to videos circulating online “where individuals are seen” urging others to vote for or against particular student groups, which he described as clear violations of the DUCSU election code.

A review of the guidelines, however, shows no specific clause that bars such campaigning.