Army to be part of 3-tier security arrangement at DUCSU polls

Army personnel will be positioned at seven campus entry points as a “striking force” during the Sept 9 election

Dhaka University has announced a three-tier security plan for next month’s DUCSU election, with the Army on standby to secure polling centres.

In a statement on Tuesday, the university said members of the BNCC and the proctorial team will form the first layer of security, police will be deployed as the second, and Army personnel will be positioned at seven campus entry points as a “striking force”.

“The Army will enter the campus if necessary and will cordon off polling centres until results are announced,” the university said.

During vote counting, no one except authorised persons will be allowed inside, it added.

Police will operate under the direction of returning officers on polling day, while patrol units have already been activated.

Voting is set for Sept 9. The final list of candidates will be published Tuesday, following the last date for withdrawal on Sept 1.

The university said its metro station will remain closed on Sept 8 and 9. From a week before the polls, no outsiders will be allowed in residential halls -- a rule already in place for female dormitories.

On election day, the campus will be closed to everyone except valid students, accredited journalists and election officials. Extra bus services will run on different routes to help students living off-campus reach polling stations.

The authorities said none of the candidates objected to the security arrangements and all expressed satisfaction.