Published : 27 Aug 2025, 11:44 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:43 PM
BNP-backed DUCSU general secretary candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim has said much of his campaign time is being wasted filing complaints about rivals’ repeated violations of the electoral code of conduct.
After submitting a petition to Chief Returning Officer Prof Jasim Uddin on Wednesday, Hamim accused other panels of clear violations from the very first day of formal campaigning, such as hanging banners and posters illegally.
“More than 24 hours later, those banners are still there,” he said.
“We should have been campaigning, meeting students, but most of our day is being spent filing complaints about the broken level playing field, without seeing any remedy.”
BNP’s vice-president candidate Abidul Islam Khan said the petition raised concerns about the limited number of polling centres, closure of Facebook groups, alleged bias by the Kuwait Maitree Hall returning officer, and action against “hijabophobia” on campus.
Abid warned that eight centres for some 40,000 voters would be insufficient, with ballot papers stretching seven pages and taking up to 10 minutes per voter.
“At this pace, only 1,280 ballots could be cast per centre in eight hours,” he said, recalling artificial queues in 2019 that prevented many non-resident students from voting.
He also accused Kuwait Maitree Hall’s returning officer Rifat Ara of barring a candidate from campaigning despite valid papers, insisting on an “unacceptable” residential card requirement.
Abid said Facebook groups spreading propaganda against candidates continued operating under changed names despite university authorities writing to the BTRC.
Raising concerns about gender hostility, he warned of an “active misogynist circle” on campus spreading hijab-based and anti-Western prejudice.
“Dhaka University must ensure a safe campus for all women, regardless of their choice of dress,” he said, adding that DUCSU would reject rules like those at Chittagong University restricting female students after 9pm.
