VP-elect Nurul demands fresh DUCSU polls by 31 March

DUCSU vice president-elect Nurul Haq has sought fresh election to all 25 posts within 31 March alleging widespread vote rigging by the ruling party's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in Monday’s DUCSU polls.

“They (BCL men) couldn’t defeat me and Akhter Hossain (social welfare affairs secretary-elect) despite resorting to all kinds of irregularities,” Nurul told newsmen at Haji Mohammad Mohsin Hall.

He alleged that they managed to defeat other members of his panel through conspiracy.

“Now all other panels except Chhatra League are demonstrating for a fresh election, and I agree with them as their elected representative,” Nurul added.

On Tuesday he demanded the authorities hold fresh election in 23 posts, won by BCL leaders.

Candidates of five contesting panels on Wednesday issued a three-day ultimatum for announcing fresh polls schedule for Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU).

In male residential halls, students of first and second years were compelled by the BCL men to stay in the queue for hours to slow the voting process, Nurul alleged.

He pointed out they asked the students to spend 10-15 minutes in the queue so that others cannot cast their votes.

The DUCSU polls, the first in 28 years, were marred by reported irregularities including ballot stuffing, intimidation and manipulation.

All panels, except those of the pro-Awami League BCL, boycotted the election alleging vote fraud before completion of the voting on Monday.