United News of Bangladesh

After 35 years, elections to the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall unions are being held today (Wednesday). Voting for the 7th CUCSU election runs from 9am to 4pm, with counting to begin immediately after polls close.  Fourteen LED screens across the campus will display live updates. Results of the central union will be announced from the Faculty of Business Administration, while hall union results will come from respective centres, according to university authorities. A total of 27,518 students — 16,189 male and 11,329 female — are eligible to vote.  Altogether 415 candidates are contesting 26 CUCSU posts. Polling is taking place in 15 centres across five faculties, including Business Administration, Social Sciences, Science, and Arts and Humanities. An additional booth has been set up at the CUCSU building for differently-abled students. Shibir unveils panel for CUCSU polls The Election Commission has arranged 700 booths in 60 rooms, each equipped with five ballot boxes and five agents. Maximum 500 voters are allowed per centre. Thirteen panels and several independent candidates are contesting the polls. Twenty-four are vying for vice president (VP), 22 for general secretary (GS), and 21 for assistant general secretary (AGS). Other portfolios include sports, culture, publications, welfare, research and IT. Each hall and hostel union has 14 posts, with 908 candidates in total. Each voter will cast up to 40 votes on five ballot papers. Ballot counting will be conducted through the Optical Mark Reader (OMR) system. To facilitate transportation, 11 shuttle train trips and 30 buses have been arranged for students. The entire campus has been placed under tight security, with about 1,700 personnel — including police, RAB, APBN, and BGB members — deployed alongside university security staff, Rover Scouts, and BNCC volunteers. The polls schedule was announced on August 28, followed by the final voter list on September 11. Although initially set for October 12, the election was rescheduled to October 15 following student demands. Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr Munir Uddin said voting is being held across five faculties under CCTV surveillance. Chittagong University abuzz as CUCSU campaign nears end Established in 1966, Chittagong University held its first CUCSU election in 1970.  The last election took place on February 8, 1990, when the Shwarba Daliyo Chatra Oikkwo defeated Islami Chhatra Shibir to secure a majority in both CUCSU and hall unions. Nazim Uddin of Jatiya Chhatra League was elected VP, while Azim Uddin Ahmed of Socialist Students’ Front became GS.

DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk on Wednesday (July 26, 2023) urged the political parties to hold their programmes without causing public suffering as they may be forced to ban political rallies in future if those  become reasons of people’s woes. A total of nine political parties including Awami League and BNP have sent letters to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) seeking permission to hold rallies in the capital on July 27 but few parties will be allowed, said the DMP chief. DMP has no such objection to BNP’s marches in capital on July 18, 19: Anee “To hold political rallies is a democratic right of the political parties but it is the responsibility of the DMP to ensure the security of the people,” he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the overall security measures on the occasion of Holy Ashura over the Tajia procession.He also urged the political parties to plan their programmes on weekly holidays in future instead of working days considering the public suffering.Besides, carrying of sticks and bags in the rallies will be prohibited, he said. Drive to continue till Dhaka free from mugging: DMP CommissionerReferring to the Tajia procession, the DMP chief said police have been giving importance to security during Tajia procession since the 2015 explosion at a Tajia procession. Action to be taken if passengers are charged extra fare during Eid journey: DMP CommissionerThe Imambara Hoseni Dalan area will be brought under CCTV surveillance and alongside the law enforcement agencies, plainclothes police will be deployed in the area to ensure foolproof security.Besides, dog squad will be active in the area so that no untoward incident can happen, he said.