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The independent panel "Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikya", led by vice president (VP) candidate Umama Fatema, has come under allegations of repeatedly breaching the election code of conduct ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) polls.
The complaints centre on the panel's links to Science Adda, a platform founded by Umama, which allegedly organised service-oriented programmes despite a university ban.
On August 30, Science Adda reportedly sponsored an event of the Materials Research Society (MRS) at the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, while on September 1 it arranged an "R Programming" course at the Department of Zoology.
Two of Science Adda's co-founders - Mominul Islam Bidhan and Siam Ferdous Imon - are also contesting the DUCSU election, for the positions of science and technology secretary, and research and publication secretary, respectively.
On August 21, Chief Returning Officer Prof Mohammad Jasim Uddin issued a notice prohibiting any candidate or panel from holding service-oriented programmes, distributing gifts, offering financial aid, or providing hospitality until the polls, warning that such activities would be considered violations of the code of conduct.
Responding to the allegations, Umama said the August 30 programme was primarily organised by MRS and that her team only provided financial support from leftover funds of a science fair held earlier in May.
On the September 1 event, she claimed no involvement, saying, "That programme was organised by Siam Ferdous Imon, our candidate for research and publication secretary. You will need to ask him about it."
LATE-NIGHT CAMPAIGNING
Umama has also been accused of canvassing inside her residential hall beyond the permitted hours. According to the election code, campaigning must stop at 11:00 pm. However, photos and video footage from 11:49 pm on Saturday show her visiting students' rooms to seek votes.
She previously faced criticism for staying in Ruqayyah Hall after 1:00 am to campaign, for which she later apologised in a Facebook post.
Asked about the fresh allegation, she defended her actions, saying, "We asked the girls beforehand if they had any objections. Only after getting consent from outside the rooms did we go in. Since there was only one day left before the election, I don't think it was an intrusion." On the allegations, Chief Returning Officer Prof Mohammad Jasim Uddin told this correspondent, "We have not yet received any official complaint regarding these incidents. If a complaint is filed, we will investigate and take necessary action."
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