Dhaka: Three-tier security measures will be enforced at eight polling centers, with restrictions on outsiders entering residential halls to ensure a free, fair, and safe Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections. The decisions were made at a views-exchange meeting held today at Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban with candidates for vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), and assistant general secretary (AGS) posts of central and hall unions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting also decided to arrange additional bus trips for the non-residential students on the vote day. The meeting was chaired by Chief Returning Officer Prof Mohammad Jasim Uddin. Returning Officers Prof Dr. Golam Rabbani of Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Prof Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam of Development Studies Department, Prof Dr. Nasrin Sultana of Institute of Health Economics, Prof Dr. Md Shahidul Islam of Banking and Insurance Department, Prof Dr. S M Shamim Reza of Mass Communication and Journalism Department, Prof Dr. Tariq Monzur of Bangla Department, Associate Professor Sharmin Kabir of Institute of Education and Research, and hall returning officers were present among others in the meeting.
The returning officers directed candidates to follow the electoral code of conduct and maintain a congenial environment. On election day, three-tier security will be deployed across eight polling centers. The first layer will consist of BNCC members and the university proctorial team. Police forces will form the second layer, and the third layer will see army personnel stationed at the university’s seven entry points as a striking force.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) stated that police forces will work in line with the instructions of returning officers, while patrol teams and relevant units are already active. The army will enter the campus, if required, and cordon off polling centers with due permission until results are announced. During vote counting, no one except authorized persons will be allowed to access the centers, a DU press release said.
From seven days before the election, no outsiders will be permitted to stay in residential halls, with regular patrols ensuring compliance. For female dormitories, outsiders are never allowed. Additionally, the Dhaka University metro rail station will remain closed on September 8 (the day before the election) and September 9 (election day). On election day, the campus will be sealed off. Valid students, accredited journalists, and election officials will only be allowed to enter the campus area.
Special arrangements will also be made for students residing outside the campus, with additional bus trips on different routes. Police will ensure the smooth movement of these buses. All candidates expressed satisfaction over the announced measures.