DUCSU election: Polling officer removed after handing 2 ballot papers to a voter

Although it was an "unintentional mistake", the administration says it still acted immediately to uphold credibility of the vote

A polling officer has been removed from duty after a student at Curzon Hall was mistakenly given two ballot papers during the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections/

In a statement on Tuesday, the university administration said the officer, Ziaur Rahman, had been suspended over the incident at the Curzon Hall polling centre, designated for Amar Ekushey Hall voters.

Authorities, however, noted that the error was “unintentional” and was acknowledged as such by the affected student.

“Nonetheless, the administration resolved the matter immediately upon being informed of the incident."

The statement also underscored the university's commitment to "conducting the election in a free, fair and impartial manner”.

Voting began at 8am across eight centres, with balloting scheduled to continue without interruption until 4pm at 810 booths.

A total of 471 candidates are vying for 28 DUCSU posts, with over 1,000 others contesting 234 hall union seats. At least 10 panels are in the race alongside a large number of independents.

The election is taking place at a time when no single student organisation dominates the campus, and without the influence of a ruling party’s student wing -- a situation many see as unprecedented at Dhaka University.