The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election has come under fresh controversy after allegations of irregularities surfaced from a vice-president candidate. Abidul Islam Khan, a candidate backed by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing), accused the university administration of failing to ensure a fair election process. He made the allegations during an emergency press briefing at the Madhur Canteen on Tuesday.

Speaking at the press conference, Abidul said his panel members faced obstacles and humiliation at multiple voting centers. “When we went to different polling stations, we were made to stand around like orphans. Our time was deliberately wasted,” he stated. According to him, such treatment highlighted the administration’s inability to maintain transparency and order.

Abidul further alleged that cases of pre-marked ballot papers were discovered at several halls. He cited an incident at Rokeya Hall, where a female voter reportedly came out of the center and complained that the ballot paper she received already had marks in favor of certain candidates. “She told us that the ballot she was given had cross marks against the names of Sadiq Kayem and S.M. Forhad before she even had a chance to vote,” Abidul claimed.

The vice-president candidate emphasized that this was not an isolated case. He claimed similar irregularities occurred at Amar Ekushey Hall. “It did not happen only in Rokeya Hall. At Amar Ekushey Hall too, the same situation was reported,” he added.

According to Abidul, when he sought clarification from the election authorities, the response was vague and unsatisfactory. “Later, with the permission of the chief returning officer, I tried to investigate the matter. But when I asked how such a thing could happen, they simply said they did not know. That explanation is not acceptable,” he told reporters.

Abidul said that since proven evidence of pre-marked ballots was found at two different centers, there was reason to believe the malpractice could be more widespread. “We do not yet know how many ballot papers were tampered with. We cannot be certain at this stage. But the fact that it has been proven at two centers makes us suspect that ballot boxes may already have been stuffed with marked votes in other centers too,” he said.

He accused the administration of failing to fulfill its responsibility to conduct a free and fair election. The allegation of ballot papers being pre-marked has cast a shadow over the credibility of the DUCSU election, which already carries high political significance on campus and beyond.

The situation has drawn attention from students and political observers, with concerns that such irregularities could undermine trust in student democracy at Dhaka University. While election authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the allegations, Abidul urged them to immediately investigate the matter and ensure the integrity of the voting process.

The DUCSU election, historically regarded as a platform for student leadership and political engagement, has often been seen as a reflection of the broader political climate in Bangladesh. This year’s polls were expected to be highly contested, with student panels backed by major political parties competing for influence. Allegations of irregularities such as pre-marked ballots now raise questions about whether the election can be considered truly representative of the students’ will.

As vote counting continues, the opposition-backed candidate warned that failure to address the irregularities could fuel further unrest and discontent among students. He reiterated that his panel would not accept an election outcome that was manipulated or predetermined. “The students deserve a fair election. Anything less than that is an insult to their rights,” he concluded.