TDS Desk:

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir are accusing each other of rigging in the much-awaited Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

As voting began on Tuesday (September 9), the discovery of marked OMR sheets sparked an intense exchange of words between the two camps.

Sadiq Kayem, the Shibir-backed vice-president candidate, alleged that the ballot numbers of Chhatra Dal supporters were marked in the OMR sheet at the Ekushey Hall centre. “At TSC, some ballots and OMR sheets had cross signs,” he said.

“We demand a thorough investigation and punishment of those involved,” he said.

On the other hand, Chhatra Dal-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam accused Shibir’s panel, including Sadiq and GS candidate Farhad, of marking ballots at Rokeya Hall.

“I saw ballots marked in their favour. It’s an ominous sign in Bangladesh’s current political context,” he said.

At the same time, the Anti-Discrimination Student Parliament’s VP candidate, Abdul Quader, alleged irregularities, accusing the Election Commission and university administration of acting as “silent spectators.”

The rival candidates were allegedly influencing voters directly inside polling stations without consequence, he claimed.

Balloting began at 8am and continued until 4pm.