Panels that boycotted the election are calling for the cancellation and rescheduling of the election
Candidates of different panels of Dhaka University Central Student Union (Ducsu) election, who boycotted the polls, have announced separate strikes demanding cancellation and rescheduling of the election.
Bangladesh Students Union's vice president candidate Liton Nandi announced a strike starting from Tuesday at a gathering in front of the Registrar Building around 5:30pm Monday. The students protesting at that spot withdrew after the announcement.
Liton also declared that if Ducsu polls results were announced, they would demand the vice-chancellor's resignation.
At a press briefing at Modhur Canteen around 5:30pm, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also announced a strike from Tuesday.
Earlier in the afternoon they were gathered in front of the residence of the Dhaka University (DU) vice-chancellor.
All panels, except the ruling party-affiliated Bangladesh Chhatra League, have boycotted the Ducsu and hall union elections, citing vote rigging and irregularities.
The major panels are: Chhatra Federation, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Independent, Swadhikar, Progressive, and Quota.
Liton Nandi, a vice presidential candidate–and also Left panel leader—announced this at a press conference around 1pm, in Madhur canteen, on Monday.
Among others, Independent candidate Arani Semonti, was also present at the press conference.
Meanwhile, JatiyatabadiChhatra Dal (JCD) in another press briefing boycotted the election.
Panels demanded fresh polls and announced to boycott classes from tomorrow.
Left Panel Leader Liton Nandi said: “The polls are not fair as balloting is taking place in halls. We demand the voting occur in academic buildings.”
We also demand a fresh election be held, with a reformed election commission, a guarantee of fair polls, and security, he added.
The Ducsu polls began around 8am on Monday and will continue till 2pm.
Liton was reportedly attacked by Chhatra League at Mohsin Hall at 11am.
Nurul Huq Nur, vice presidential candidate for the ongoing Ducsu polls, and also Quota Reform panel leader, has also reportedly been attacked at Dhaka University.
The incident occurred at the university’s Rokeya Hall on Monday afternoon.
Voting at Rokeya Hall was suspended at 11am.
Voting in the Ducsu polls at Dhaka University's Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall has resumed; nearly an hour after its suspension.
According to the university's authorities, the voting will be held from 11:10am to 5:10pm.
Following the matter, Dhaka University (DU) authorities suspended acting provost, Dr Sabnam Jahan, of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall over the alleged irregularities.
Chief Retuning Officer Prof Mahfuzur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: "Our students have recovered ballot boxes with precast ballot papers. We have found evidence of vote rigging."
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