Published : 10 Sep 2025, 02:22 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:47 PM
Abidul Islam Khan, the vice-presidential candidate for the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed panel in the DUCSU polls has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami activists have gathered in combat positions at Nilkhet, Shahbagh, and Chankharpul as vote counting continues.
He called on the Dhaka University administration, government authorities, and the Election Commission to act swiftly.
Vote counting began after 5pm on Tuesday after polls closed across the campus.
Around 5:30pm, Abidul gave a press conference in front of Madhur Canteen with several other candidates from the JCD-backed panel.
“Free Dhaka University from such criminal actions,” he said. “We do not expect such combat-ready posturing in a post-uprising Bangladesh.”
Votes were cast from 8am to 4pm at 810 booths in eight polling centres across campus.
However, throughout the day, multiple panels accused one another of violating the election code of conduct.
At TSC, JCD activists staged a protest, accusing the administration of ballot tampering -- specifically, that ballots for two candidates from the Jamaat-backed Shibir panel had pre-marked votes.
Speaking at the press briefing, Abidul said: “[Tuesday’s] DUCSU election has proven that the administration has failed to fulfill its duties.”
He also expressed frustration over persistent misinformation. “From early morning, false claims were spread that I had violated the election code. Even the returning officer helped spread this misinformation and misled everyone. If you read the constitution, you'll see that these allegations are entirely baseless.”
“It was a deliberate attempt to discredit us before the general student body,” Abidul said, adding that the returning officer played a role in this “character assassination”.
Responding to claims that his presence at polling centres was a violation, Abidul argued: “Those who’ve covered DUCSU elections in the past know that candidates, especially those running for VP and GS, have always had the right to visit polling centres. We had identity cards. But this time, every time we tried to enter, we were made to stand outside like outcasts -- our time was wasted.”
He alleged blatant ballot manipulation in Rokeya Hall. “A female student told me that the ballot paper given to her already had crosses marked beside the names of Shibir-backed VP candidate Shadik Kayem and GS candidate Farhad.”
“Similar incidents were reported at the Amar Ekushey Hall as well,” he said. “When I confronted the authorities with permission from the returning officer, they claimed ignorance about how it happened.”
Based on these incidents, Abidul expressed concern that the “manipulation” could be widespread. “We don’t know how many ballots were pre-marked and stuffed into the boxes. If we’ve found two such cases already, chances are there are more. In fact, one election official from Amar Ekushey Hall has already been removed for misconduct.”
He further alleged that outsiders, including Jamaat leaders, were seen roaming the campus. “We saw many unfamiliar faces. Some said they were from Kurigram, others claimed to be local political leaders. Jamaat activists were clearly present throughout the day.”
Abidul accused the university’s proctor of “bias”. “The proctor betrayed us in the name of assigning polling agents, while giving security passes to Jamaat operatives instead. This is unacceptable.”
He also voiced concerns about the behaviour of a Rokeya Hall assistant proctor. “Our candidate Suchona was told by [Prof Sehreen Amin Monami], ‘I’ll see how your studentship survives’. This level of hostility from a university official was shocking.”
Abidul said he was repeatedly prevented from entering Rokeya Hall, despite having permission from the returning officer.
“I kept quiet until noon. I didn’t want to file complaints. We wanted to feel the spirit of democracy. But how long can we remain silent in the face of such actions?”
Abidul added, “Fraud occurred at two centres; we assume there may be more. We have kept our patience so far. We are committed to building a healthy campus. At the same time, if anyone attempts manipulation during vote counting, Dhaka University students will take a stand.”
