BCL concedes defeat in VP post of DUCSU polls
VP-elect Nur, most panels vow to continue agitation for fresh elections
STAFF REPORTER with DU Correspondent, Dhaka
The Dhaka University campus yesterday turned into a theatrical spectacle, after the results of the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) polls became clear in the wee hours. The elections on Monday, held after 28 years, were marred by boycott by all the major panels, except the ruling partys student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), over allegations of irregularities and rigging.
Following the boycott and the result announcement, activists and leaders of student panels were engaged in demonstrations, sit-in, protests, counter-protests, chases and counter-chases throughout Tuesday. The eventual calm and acceptance of the results came late in the afternoon, after Rezwanul Haq Chowdhury Shovon, president of the BCL and its candidate for the DUCSU vice-presidents post, met Nurul Haque Nur, the newly elected VP from the quota reformers panel, and embraced him.
Nur, who declared boycotting of classes till re-elections, except for the posts of VP and social welfare secretary, withdrew his call after Shovon asked him to accept the poll results. The popular quota reformist leader, however, didnt budge from his stand on holding re-elections rather he wanted fresh election in all the posts. Nur, however, had told reporters earlier in the day that he wanted re-election to all the DUCSU posts except the VP and social welfare secretary.
He also sought action against the BCL men who allegedly attacked him on the voting day on Monday, and also yesterday while he tried talking to the media in front of the DU Teachers and Students Centre (TSC).
The BCL activists vehemently opposed Nurs winning as VP, and chanted We dont accept it from the very moment the poll results were announced by
the Dhaka University VC, Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, at 3:20am on Tuesday. They later demonstrated in front of the VCs residence for about two hours and demanded re-election for the post of DUCSU VP.
The BCL men also put up a barricade at the gates of Nilkhet and were stopping anyone from entering the university premises for most part of the day. We cannot accept that a Shibir man
like Nur will be the VP of an institution such as Dhaka University, Harunur Rashid Rasel, organising secretary of the BCL at Bangabandhu Hall, said.
Until this is resolved, no exams or classes will be allowed at the university, he said at the university entrance in Nilkhet, which was blocked by BCL men.
All the opposing panels of the BCL including the leftists, Chatra Dal, quota reformists and independents were staging protests at the TSC in rejection of the election and demanding re-election throughout the morning. Classes were boycotted at the DU campus as part of the protest.
The election process is unacceptable, whatever the outcome may be, said Liton Nandi, the VP candidate panel leader of the Progressive Students Unity.
As the students right to vote has been taken away, the polls can never be termed fair. Had the elections been fair, the results would be different, he added.
Earlier, newly-elected VP Nurul Haq Nur and four others were sued on charges of assaulting the Ruqayyah Hall provost during Mondays election and for vandalism in the hall.
According to Abdul Hasan, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh police station, the other accused are: Liton Nandi, general secretary of the Bangladesh Student Union, Khan Anisur Rahman, joint convener of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dals Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall unit, Umme Habiba Benojir, president of the Chhatra Federation and Sheikh Moushumi, Independent VP candidate of Rokquyyah Hall.
The OC told The Independent that Ruqayyah Hall provost, Prof. Dr Zeenat Huda, filed the case with Shahbagh police station on Monday night.
According to the case statement, during the election on Monday morning, the accused tried to disturb the environment at Ruqayyah Hall. They asked Zennat to show them the room, but the provost told them to wait until the proctor and chief election commissioner (CEC) arrive. However, the accused physically assaulted her.
Following the allegation, CEC Mofidur Rahman and proctor Golam Rabbani went there. They held a meeting with the provost.
The residents of Ruqayyah Hall demonstrated, alleging vote fraud and some of them vandalised the halls polling booth.
Earlier, non-BCL candidates sought to see all the nine ballot boxes at Ruqayyah Hall before the polling began.
Election officials, also teachers at Dhaka University, showed six boxes and then kept them in the auditorium. However, students and candidates insisted on seeing the rest three as well.
Hall provost Prof. Zeenat Huda brought three boxes from the auditorium, but the students suspected those were from among the six boxes they were shown earlier.
With allegations of ballot boxes being hidden at the hall spreading fast, other candidates and students rushed to the hall.
Around 11:30am, DUCSU VP candidate Nur and some other candidates of the Hall Sangsad went there and told the provost that they suspected there were ballot boxes in the room next to the auditorium.
In the meantime, Golam Rabbani, Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL) general secretary and a GS candidate of the DUCSU, and Ruqayyah Halls BCL-supported AGS candidate, Falguni Tonni, went there and became engaged in a fiery debate. Peers of Falguni pushed and assaulted Nur, alleged Munira, who was present at the time.
Nur became unconscious and was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
