Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman claims the elections to the central students’ union (DUCSU) and hall unions, which has been marred by allegations of widespread irregularities and rigging, was rather festive and peaceful.
According to him, the sporadic incidents did not tilt the elections held on Monday (Mar 11) after a long 28-year-long wait.
However, protests have broken out on the campus after all student bodies, except for the pro-Awami League Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), boycotted it and called for a fresh vote.
Speaking to the media after polls closed, VC Akhtaruzzaman said, “Other than a couple of isolated incidents, the voting was held amid festivity and in line with the spirit of democracy,” told the media on Monday (Mar 11) after polls closed.
Thanking the students for their cooperation, he said, “I visited several centres and saw students standing in queue to exercise their franchises.”
Referring to Kuwait Maitree Hall incident, the VC said, “We showed zero tolerance and discharged the provost.”
Earlier, voting at Kuwait Maitree Hall remained suspended for two hours upon discovery of stashed ballot papers.
Protest sparked among students after a sack of filled ballot papers was recovered from the hall’s reading room in the morning prompting the authorities to relieve the hall provost of duties.
Voting, however, started at 11:10am and continued till 5:10pm.
An inquiry has been opened into the matter, Akhtaruzzaman said before adding, “A five-strong panel has been formed and measures will be initiated after it files a report.”
Vowing to act in line with the DUCSU charter and electoral code of conduct, he said, “Whoever responsible for the irregularities will face action.”