Rezwanul Haque Shovon, vice-presidential candidate from Bangladesh Chhatra League panel at Dhaka University Central Student’s Union (Ducsu) polls, has termed the demand for fresh elections in the Ducsu and 18 hall unions “irrational.”
Bangladesh Chhatra League panel candidates held a press briefing at around 4pm at Madhur Canteen in Dhaka University after voting for the Ducsu polls ended on Monday.
Chhatra League General Secretary Candidate Golam Rabbani said: “The election was free and fair where students cast their votes in halls a peaceful manner.”
He, however, denied allegations of vote-rigging and irregularities.
All panels, except Bangladesh Chhatra League, boycotted the Ducsu and hall union elections citing vote-rigging and irregularities.
About the boycott, Rabbani said: “They have boycotted the polls to save themselves from the humiliation of a grand defeat.”
When asked about the alleged irregularities that took place in Maitree and Rokeya halls, he said: “The allegations are false. In Rokeya hall, ballot boxes were seen outside of voting booth, not inside. So it does not count as vote-rigging. Moreover, the irregularity allegation in Maitree hall was also false. Those who brought the rigging allegations could not prove anything.”
He also said cases would be filed against leaders of opposition panels for “spoiling” the Ducsu polls.
He also denied allegations of Chhatra League members attacking opposition candidates.
About the attack on vice-presidential candidate Nurul Huq Nur, Rabbani said: “Nur was not attacked by Chhatra League; he suffered a heat stroke and fell ill.”
Nurul Huq Nur, who is also a quota reform panel leader, was reportedly attacked on the Dhaka University campus.
Liton Nandi, vice-presidential candidate from the Left panel, was also allegedly attacked by Chhatra League members in DU.
Voting at Rokeya and Maitree Halls were suspended for a small period of times over allegations of irregularities and rigging. However, voting in the halls resumed later.
Students of the Left panel and Chhatra Dal have gathered in front of the residence of the Dhaka University vice-chancellor to place their demand for fresh polls.
Students chanted slogans against the vice-chancellor and demanded his resignation.
They also announced that they would boycott Tuesday’s classes.