ZCZC
BSS-54
DUCSU-POLLING-BOOTH
Student organisations remain at variance over DUCSU polling centers
DHAKA, Feb 17, 2019 (BSS) – Politically active student organisations are
still in disagreement over the location of the polling booths of Dhaka
University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall unions’ election,
scheduled for March 11, 2019.
On January 29, the university syndicate decided that the polling centers
would be set up in the respective dormitories where students would cast their
votes to elect their representatives, after around 29 years.
Welcoming the DU authority’s decision, pro-Awami League students’ body
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) led alliance “Chhatra Sangram Parishad” which
includes eight other student organisations ranging from pro-JSD Chhatra
League and pro-Workers’ Party Chhatra Moitri is in favour of setting up of
polling booths at the halls. Several pro-BCL Teacher-Students’ Center (TSC)–
based socio-cultural organisations also support this position.
On the other hand, BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) is
demanding delay of DUCSU polls by at least three months for creating a
congenial political atmosphere in the campus, as promised by the authorities
and setting up of polling booths at academic buildings for “fair polls”.
Apart from this, Progressive Students’ Alliance and Anti-Imperialism
Students’ Alliance at a press conference today at Madhur Canteen gave a six-point
demand that included setting up of polling booths outside the halls for the
“safety of voters’ franchise”.
Meanwhile, DU Shikkharti Odhikar Mancho (Students’ Rights’ Platform)
formed in February 2012 who were instrumental in compelling the DU
authorities to announce the DUCSU poll, urged the university authorities to
arrange a referendum on the choice of the venue for voting as there was
difference of opinion over the issue among the student organisations.
JCD leaders and activists who gathered at the Madhur canteen after a lapse
of nine years for the third day today held a press conference there with JCD
general secretary (GS) Akramul Hasan reinstated their demand to shift the
polling booths at academic buildings to “avoid any possibility of ballot
stuffing”.
“We are demanding deferment of the poll for establishing a
peaceful co-existence and cordial atmosphere ahead of the DUCSU election. The
election conducting body must be reformed as it was made by pro-Awami League
teachers,” Akram added. JCD DU unit president Al Mehedi Talukder and GS Abul
Bashar Siddique, among others, were present.
Refuting the demand of the JCD and the left organisations’ demand, BCL
president Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon said, “DU authority decides where
the polling booths will be set up. Chhatra Dal is demanding this as they
cannot win the DUCSU poll. They don’t have any relationship with the general
students as most of their leaders have completed their academic life, long
ago.”
BCL GS Golam Rabbani said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will decide
who will vie for the DUCSU posts among the aspirants from BCL.
BSS/SPL/MMN/AS/2120 HRS