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The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Election Commission (EC) said an investigation is underway into the allegations that ballot papers for the DUCSU election were printed in an unsecured manner at Nilkhet.
In a press release, signed by Chief Returning Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin on Thursday night, the EC stated that it is giving "utmost importance" to the matter, and a thorough investigation is already in progress.
The statement further mentioned that the EC is treating all complaints and queries regarding the DUCSU and hall union elections with the highest priority.
Following the provisions of Article 69 of the DUCSU constitution, written replies have already been given to 15 complaints and queries, while the rest would be addressed in phases.
The EC also announced that it would soon hold a press conference to provide detailed answers on all the issues raised.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) expressed frustration and dissatisfaction over the university administration's statements regarding the raised allegations.
In a press release, signed by JCD DU unit office secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami, the organisation claimed that the administration published its statement without properly analysing or reviewing the 11 specific complaints and petitions submitted by the candidates.
JCD particularly pointed to the applications demanding a review of CCTV footage of specific booths at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Salimullah Muslim Hall, and Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall. JCD opined that analysing the full CCTV footage was essential to remove doubts about voter turnout. CCTV footage is not a public document, but the candidates requested the opportunity to review it in the presence of the university authorities.
The statement further alleged that, although petitions were filed within three days of the election as per the DUCSU constitution and repeatedly brought the issues to the administration's attention, the administration labeled them as "baseless".
Instead of responding to the properly submitted complaints, the authorities announced holding a press conference, showing 'lack of sincerity'.
The student body also questioned whether or not the administration's so-called "due process" was simply a tactic to delay and avoid addressing the allegations.
JCD further claimed that polling agents were not allowed to verify voter turnout against the official voter list during the elections, which raised further controversy.
It said while applications were submitted in time to review the attendance-marked voter lists, the administration rejected them as "indefinite," which JCD sees it as a clear sign of non-transparency.
In addition, JCD stated that although the administration denied the allegations of ballot papers being printed at Nilkhet, several media reports confirmed the matter. It validates their claim and exposes the administration's statement as misleading.
The press release also mentioned that complaints were filed on the day after the election. But, since offices were closed, the application reached the chief returning officer the following day.
On the third day, the application was submitted to the Vice-Chancellor as instructed. Yet, the administration claimed in its statement that the complaints were lodged "two weeks later," which JCD called false and misleading.
Finally, JCD's DU unit president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon expressed hope that the university administration would ensure transparency by addressing the allegations properly, with the help of qualified experts, and present justified answers to the students.
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