Abidul Islam Khan, vice-presidential candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election, did not violate electoral rules by entering a polling centre on Tuesday (September 9), officials confirmed.

Earlier in the day, Abidul entered the Physical Education Centre polling station, prompting a national daily to allege misconduct. Rival candidate Abu Sadiq Kayem of the Shibir-backed United Student Alliance also accused him of breaking the code of conduct. However, the claims did not specify which rule had been breached.

According to Clause 12(b) of the Election Commission’s code of conduct, only election officials, employees, candidates, polling agents and persons authorised by the returning officer are permitted to enter polling centres. Candidates are therefore allowed access, provided they comply with the rules.

Abidul said he entered the centre only after receiving permission. “I did not go in on my own. I entered with proper authorisation,” he told reporters, rejecting allegations of wrongdoing.

Voting in the DUCSU election began at 8:00am across eight centres, following the sealing of ballot boxes in the presence of polling agents and journalists earlier in the morning.

SMS