University administration ‘indifferent’ to DUCSU code of conduct, says Umama Fatema

Umama Fatema, vice-president candidate from the Independent Students Unity panel in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) vote, has accused administration of being “indifferent” to enforcing the election code of conduct.

She alleged that the authorities have “failed” to take measures against violations, a situation she fears could lead to disorder on election day.

Umama warned that if the administration does not act, her panel will take its own steps.

She also pointed to processions during the collection of nomination forms, saying the university authorities remained silent.

Speaking at a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen on Friday, she raised the allegations and pressed her demands.

She also called for relocating several polling centres in the DUCSU and hall union elections to shorten travel distances and ease traffic congestion.

Umama proposed shifting the polling centre for Shamsun Nahar Hall to the Atomic Energy Research Institute, and moving the centres for Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Bangladesh Kuwait-Maitree Hall to the Institute of Social Welfare and Research.

She also demanded that the centres for four halls in the university’s “hallpara” area be moved to the Faculty of Business Studies.

Earlier in the afternoon, the election commission released the list of polling centres. It showed that students from Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, and Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall will vote at Curzon Hall.

Students of Jagannath Hall, Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, and Salimullah Muslim Hall will vote at the Physical Education Centre of Dhaka University, while Begum Rokeya Hall’s polling centre will be the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

Students of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall have been assigned Dhaka University Club as their polling centre.

Umama, however, warned that the existing arrangements would create difficulties for voters.

“The university administration has said it will increase the number of bus trips on polling day and strengthen security at Nilkhet intersection between Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Kuwait Maitree Hall. But in reality, that intersection is always gridlocked,” she said.

“To make voting easier, I demand that polling centres be changed. Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Kuwait Maitree Hall’s polling stations should be moved to the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, and Shamsunnahar Hall’s to the Atomic Energy Research Institute. 

Nusrat Jahan Nisu, contesting for the post of human rights and legal affairs secretary, echoed the call.

“We demand polling centres closer to the halls, beginning with Kuwait Maitree Hall. The administration must also rethink security and increase bus services,” she said.