Pragatisheel Chhatra Jote demands cancellation of Ducsu polls results
The March 11 Ducsu polls, the first in 28 years, were marred by allegations of irregularities
Pragatisheel Chhatra Jote, an alliance of leftist student organizations, has demanded the cancellation of the Dhaka University Central Student’s Union (Ducsu) and hall union election results.
The alliance also placed five-point demands regarding the polls during a press briefing at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen around 1pm on Sunday.
Furthermore, they announced boycotts of classes and exams scheduled to be held on Monday.
Moreover, the alliance will bring out a rally from the Raju Memorial Sculpture and march to the DU vice chancellor’s office to realize their demands.
The demands are: cancellation of the poll results, declaration of a new election schedule, the resignation of the VC and teachers who were involved in conducting the polls, the withdrawal of false cases filed against candidates and students, and the trial of those who launched attacks on voting day.
At the press briefing, Pragatisheel Chhatra Jote nominated Vice-President candidate Liton Nandi, also general secretary of Chhatra Union, said: “The March 11 Ducsu polls were an ignominious chapter in history of Dhaka University. We cannot ratify this election, which was filled with irregularities.”
“We do not accept this election, this is not our Ducsu,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, members of the newly-elected Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), including Vice-President-elect and quota reform leader Nurul Haque Nur, met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban.
When asked about Nur’s remarks during the call on the prime minister, where he said elections were never 100% fair, Liton Nandi said: “Some portions of his remarks are contradictory with our views. If he stays firm in his assertion, then it will be a betrayal of student society. We hope he will clear up his stance as soon as possible.”
The March 11 Ducsu polls, the first in 28 years, were marred by allegations of irregularities.
All panels, with the except of Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, boycotted the election alleging vote rigging.
Chhatra League’s panel dominated the polls, but its VP candidate was defeated by quota reform movement leader Nur.
