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Published : 25 Aug 2025, 01:54 AM
Two days before canvassing is due to begin officially, candidates in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections are already hitting the campaign trail, often in violation of the electoral code of conduct.
Although canvassing in classrooms and libraries is forbidden, candidates have been spotted entering these spaces to seek support. Some have been seen entertaining students in canteens and posting the photos on Facebook.
The violations have been visible on campus in recent days as the Aug 26 campaign window draws closer. Complaints of premature campaigning have already reached the Election Commission, but no visible action has followed.
Chief Returning Officer Prof Jasim Uddin said complaints are being examined.
“We have been waiting and monitoring. Complaints are coming in continuously. Where we find them credible, we are requesting that campaigning be stopped for the sake of fairness,” he said.
BNP'S STUDENT WING ACCUSED
On Sunday afternoon, the BNP-backed Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan, GS candidate Tanvir Bari Hamim, AGS candidate Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed and others were seen canvassing at Bijoy Ekattor Hall.
That evening, Abid led another round of campaigning at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall.
Independent candidates alleged that Chhatra Dal was offering food to students and pressuring them inside reading rooms, violating privacy.
Abid could not be reached for comment. His running mate Hamim referred reporters back to Abid.
Prof Jasim Uddin confirmed receiving complaints and a video of Abid campaigning on Saturday. “We have the complaint. The commission will review it and decide whether to warn him or take other measures,” he said.
SHIBIR-BACKED PANEL SEEN
The Jamaat-e-Islami-supported “United Students’ Alliance” also appeared on campus. VP candidate Sadiq Kayem and GS candidate SM Farhad were spotted canvassing at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall on Sunday evening.
Kayem denied it, claiming: “We did not go for campaigning. We went to offer Maghrib prayers. On the way back, we happened to meet students on the road.”
Violations were also observed among panels supported by the Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS), and the Independent Students’ Unity.
From the “DUCSU for Change” panel, VP candidate Bin Yamin Molla was accused of distributing posters bearing his photograph and pasting them on dormitory walls.
Rafiz Khan, transport secretary candidate from the Independent Students’ Unity, said: “We demanded action from the administration today. Bin Yamin has distributed posters and plastered them on walls.” Bin Yamin could not be reached for comment.
The Independent Students’ Unity also held a campaign event at Jagannath Hall on Sunday, a day after one of its candidates organised a stand-up comedy show at TSC Auditorium.
Al Sadi Bhuiyan, a candidate from the panel, rejected allegations of violation.
“We did not break the code. In fact, we protested violations by Chhatra Dal and Shibir," he said. "We only visited our ‘idea wall’ to see what students had written. We did not ask for votes. In fact, students asked us why we weren’t asking.”
The BGCS-backed “Anti-discrimination Students’ Union” also faced controversy. Its health and environment secretary candidate Sabbir Ahmed was accused of cyberbullying linked to Facebook groups “Dhaka University Student Parliament 1 and 2”, which were shut down by the university following a letter to the telecom regulator.
Afterwards, Sabbir invited people to join a Telegram group he had opened, which had over 6,000 members by Sunday evening.
“We opened that Telegram group long ago,” Sabbir told bdnews24.com. “I don’t see any restriction from the administration on online campaigning. Yes, I asked people to join, but I don’t think it violates the code of conduct. The administration only shut down three groups. There are countless others.”
Chief Returning Officer Prof Jasim Uddin warned candidates against engaging in service activities during the campaign.
“We have made it clear: if a candidate is linked with service activities, it boosts their chance of gaining votes and disadvantages others. That is why we are asking such activities to be suspended for now,” he said.
