Ruling Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has allegedly violated the electoral code of conduct for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections.
The BCL has started electioneering days before the election campaign is set to start on Mar 3 as per the polls schedule.
Colourful posters of BCL’s Vice President (VP) candidate Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon were seen pasted on the walls of different establishments at various places of the university including student dormitories.
Shovon is also the president of BCL central committee.
“This is a clear violation of the electoral code,” said another VP candidate Mostafizur Rahman before adding, polls campaign is yet to kick off but he (Shovon) have even used colourful posters.
As per section 6(A) and 6(B) of DUCSU’s electoral code of conducts, no candidate is allowed to use color posters for the polls campaign.
It also bans pasting campaign materials including poster, leaflet, and handbill, on any establishment, wall, vehicle, tree, electricity and telephone poles inside the campus.
Rahman, who is the VP candidate for BNP’s student wing Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal, urged the returning officer to look into the matter immediately and act upon.
Admitting the BCL’s electoral code violation, Chief Returning Officer of DUCSU election SM Mahfuzur Rahman said, “University’s proctor is tasked with looking into the matter.”
Meanwhile, other VP runners informed the authorities.
“We have informed the proctor and the administration assured us of taking actions, said Progressive Students Alliance VP candidate Liton Nandi.
DU Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani said otherwise.
“We will take action after the election commission informs us,” he said.
Shovon, however, could not be reached for a comment.
After a 28-year hiatus, elections to DUCSU and hall union are set to be held on Mar 11 with polling centres to be set up at the dormitories.