Dhaka University (DU) authorities have rejected allegations of widespread irregularities and rigging during the polls to the Central Students’ Union and residential hall unions.
“A particular group wanted to achieve their political interest by giving rise to chaos and creating unrest in the university and the country,” reads a statement issued on Saturday (Mar 16).
“However, students who uphold the values of the universities have foiled their plans,” it said.
It further said that many were spreading confusion by making comments without verifying the facts from the university authorities and related sources.
“This has hurt the image of the university and made the polls subject to questions, which isn’t acceptable under any circumstances.”
The authorities claim that with the exception of a few isolated incidents, the election took place peacefully amidst festivity.
The statement said that several confusing statements circulating in print and online media and talk shows over the Mar 11 elections have drawn the attention of the DU authorities.
They claim that the returning officers received no complaints of voters not being able to exercise their franchises. Also to avoid any crisis, there were adequate polling booths, ballot papers and crowd control and as a result students were able to cast their votes within a couple of hours.
On the incidents in the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Begum Ruqayyah Hall, the statement said that they were “unexpected”.
A bag full of ballot papers with seals was discovered in the Moitre Hall next to a polling booth.
“Voting was immediately halted there and the chief returning officer arranged for fresh ballots and restarted the voting process. Any allegation of the administration’s dishonesty or laxity is inconsequential,” is what the university authorities had to say about it.
Meanwhile, ballot papers were found in Ruqayyah Hall during the election as well and the university said in its defence said that those were not in the box and were unused.
The authorities finally said that necessary steps will be taken if anyone should come forward with legit proof of irregularity and vote rigging in the polls.