Wednesday, 01 October, 2025
BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has warned that Bangladesh’s next national election could be jeopardised if “irregularities” similar to those reported in the recent DUCSU and JUCSU polls are repeated.
Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka’s Mirpur on Friday, Rizvi accused the Dhaka University authorities of creating an “uneven playing field” and misleading students during the elections. He highlighted alleged flaws including day-long voting extending into the night, voters being recorded without proper verification, and ballot papers lacking serial numbers.
“For 16 years, people have been unable to vote properly. Many voters could not reach polling centres, day-long elections stretched into night polls, and votes were cast without genuine voters. All these irregularities undermine the possibility of a fair election, aimed solely at cementing Sheikh Hasina’s rule,” he said. “If any remnant of that pattern remains, and someone follows the same model to secure victory, it will bring misfortune to the nation. The people will not allow it.”
Rizvi clarified that the BNP had no objection to holding the DUCSU election itself, but strongly opposed the way it was conducted. “The fact that ballot papers were printed in Nilkhet clearly indicates that the election was orchestrated to benefit a specific political group,” he said.
He also criticised the Dhaka University vice-chancellor for ignoring repeated allegations. “Every day, new evidence of irregularities comes to light. Ballot papers were found printed in Nilkhet. Both newspapers and the media have reported this. How does the vice-chancellor intend to cover it up?”
The main contest in the DUCSU polls was between Islami Chhatra Shibir and candidates from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, though the latter failed to secure any posts. Three editorial positions, however, went to independent candidates.
Thirteen days after the elections, members of the Chhatra Dal panel held a press conference, accusing the process of rigging and listing 11 irregularities. Rizvi emphasised that similar lapses in the student elections could signal dangerous patterns for national polls, cautioning that the nation cannot afford a repeat.
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BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has warned that Bangladesh’s next national election could be jeopardised if “irregularities” similar to those reported in the recent DUCSU and JUCSU polls are repeated.
Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka’s Mirpur on Friday, Rizvi accused the Dhaka University authorities of creating an “uneven playing field” and misleading students during the elections. He highlighted alleged flaws including day-long voting extending into the night, voters being recorded without proper verification, and ballot papers lacking serial numbers.
“For 16 years, people have been unable to vote properly. Many voters could not reach polling centres, day-long elections stretched into night polls, and votes were cast without genuine voters. All these irregularities undermine the possibility of a fair election, aimed solely at cementing Sheikh Hasina’s rule,” he said. “If any remnant of that pattern remains, and someone follows the same model to secure victory, it will bring misfortune to the nation. The people will not allow it.”
Rizvi clarified that the BNP had no objection to holding the DUCSU election itself, but strongly opposed the way it was conducted. “The fact that ballot papers were printed in Nilkhet clearly indicates that the election was orchestrated to benefit a specific political group,” he said.
He also criticised the Dhaka University vice-chancellor for ignoring repeated allegations. “Every day, new evidence of irregularities comes to light. Ballot papers were found printed in Nilkhet. Both newspapers and the media have reported this. How does the vice-chancellor intend to cover it up?”
The main contest in the DUCSU polls was between Islami Chhatra Shibir and candidates from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, though the latter failed to secure any posts. Three editorial positions, however, went to independent candidates.
Thirteen days after the elections, members of the Chhatra Dal panel held a press conference, accusing the process of rigging and listing 11 irregularities. Rizvi emphasised that similar lapses in the student elections could signal dangerous patterns for national polls, cautioning that the nation cannot afford a repeat.
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