A group of Dhaka University students brought out a procession on the campus demanding fresh DUCSU polls. Inset: Protesters unveiled their 5-point demands to media. -AA
Several hundred students, including activists and supporters of the different panels who boycotted the Dhaka University Central Student's Union (DUCSU) polls, brought out a procession from the foot of the Raju Sculpture around 12:30pm and paraded through the campus chanting slogans for reelection.
They also besieged the university's VC's office for nearly five hours -- demanding an immediate fresh DUCSU election over allegations of vote rigging and irregularities.
Pushing forward five-point-demand which includes resignation of all the officials involved in the electoral activities including the VC Dr Akhtaruzzaman, they demanded the fresh DUCSU elections within March 31.
The agitation flared up as the three-day-ultimatum for a fresh election ended. However, the VC yesterday claimed that fewer irregularities were took place in the just concluded polls comparing to previous ones.
"In previous time, more irregularities, clash even murder incidents took place centering the polls," the professor told the 6-member-student team at his office yesterday. The students went on a hunger strike and later broke it upon the assurance of the administration.
The students yesterday informed the VC about the vote rigging, barring voting and attacking candidates during election. Voting irregularities, written complaint and video footage of the attack were produced before the teacher as evidences.
The VC said that these documents will be provided to the investigation committee formed on March 13 to investigate.However, the assurance could not tame the ongoing protest as they agitated students announced class and exam boycott to press home their demands.
"University authority completed the election in a restricted way. We told authority to make sure media access in voting centre but they didn't pay attention to our demand. They now want proper evidence while they were muffled all the way during election time," said GS candidate from Swadikar Swatantra Parishad.
While addressing the protest, Bangladesh Student's Federation (BSF) backed defeated GS candidate of DUCSU Umme Habiba Benozir said, "We protest the election marred by irregularities and vote rigging. We will not leave unless until they meet our demands."
She also urged students to stand against the 'rigged' election and to ensure their democratic rights.Independent alliance VP candidate Aroni Semanti Khan, other candidates of different panel and agitators were also present in the program.
The March 11 DUCSU polls, the first in 28 years, were marred by allegations of irregularities. All panels, except that of Awami League's student front Bangladesh Chhatra League, boycotted the elections alleging vote fraud.
---Mohiuddin Mahi, AA
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