CUCSU election a ‘rehearsal’ for national polls, vice chancellor says

“What happened at DUCSU is their business. We are conducting our election and taking our own measures,” says the deputy VC

Chittagong University Vice Chancellor Muhammad Yeahia Akhter has said the long-awaited CUCSU election will be a “rehearsal” for creating a “favourable” environment during the parliamentary elections in February.

“Voting has begun after completing all the preparations,” he said on Wednesday morning.

“We have organised this election in an orderly manner after discussions with all stakeholders.”

“This is the election of the students,” he added.

“They wanted this election. The campaign was excellent. No one was hindered. They maintained a favourable environment for a wonderful election by following the code of conduct. A favourable environment is needed for the election -- this is their achievement.”

The vice-chancellor said all necessary preparations, including security and transportation, had been made.

“This will be considered a rehearsal for creating a favourable environment for the national election,” he said.

Explaining changes in the voting process, he said, “We have made arrangements to fill the circle because if there is a cross, there can be many difficulties. Only one thing was on our mind -- how the students will benefit, and what they need to vote. We have fulfilled those things.”

Responding to a question, Deputy Vice Chancellor Kamal Uddin said, “Every university is an autonomous university. We have our voters, and depending on our situation, we are arranging the Chittagong University election.”

“If you ask whether we are following DUCSU one hundred percent -- we did not do that,” he said.

“But we have created our alternative arrangements to solve the problems that have arisen from their experience.”

He added that the university had taken several unique measures.

“No other university has done photo voter registration. We did it, and it was a very difficult task. We solved it,” he said.

“We have kept enough OMR machines so that we can conduct multiple checks and count votes neatly in a short time.”

“And you [reporters] are a part of every process -- from voting to counting,” he continued.

“You will be with us, you will see if we are unnecessarily delaying time.”

Kamal described the vote as “an inclusive election”.

“Inclusivity is not just about who is voting for whom -- you are also our fellow travellers in the entire process,” he said.

“You also want this electioj. What happened in DUCSU is their business. We are conducting our election and taking our own measures.”

Emphasising transparency, he said, “We must give as much reasonable time as is needed to declare the results after counting the votes in a one hundred percent transparent manner. We do not want to do any faulty work. We must give as much time as needed to complete the work with sincerity and perfection.”