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DU taskforce removes banners over code of conduct violation
Dhaka University’s electoral conduct taskforce has removed banners from several student panels for breaching the code of conduct in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.
On Wednesday, banners displayed at various points across the campus were taken down and loaded onto a van.
Under DUCSU election rules, candidates may print and distribute black-and-white posters, leaflets and handbills, but they are prohibited from hanging or displaying materials on campus.
The Election Commission issued a notice on Tuesday ordering candidates who had already set up banners, festoons or boards to remove them.
The directive, signed by Chief Returning Officer Prof Jasim Uddin, cited section 7(Ka) of the code, which bans campaign materials printed on PVC, cloth or other media.
Banners from Islami Chhatra Shibir’s United Students’ Alliance, independent candidate Jamaluddin Khalid, expelled NCP leader Mahin Sarkar’s Combined Students’ Parliament, and Umama Fatema’s Independent Students’ Unity panel were among those spotted at TSC, Social Sciences Square, the Faculty of Fine Arts, hall areas and Curzon Hall.
Taskforce convenor Golam Rabbani said, “Our code of conduct does not allow this. They put them up without knowing the rules, so we are removing them.”
“No banners, festoons or boards will be allowed anywhere on campus. Stickers are also banned. Only black-and-white handbills and leaflets may be distributed,” he said.
He added that action would be taken if anyone violates the code again.
The DUCSU election is scheduled to take place on Sept 9.
A total of 471 candidates are contesting for 28 posts, including 45 for the vice president position.
This year, 1,035 candidates are running in 13 male halls and five female halls for 13 positions including president and general secretary.