Army will kept as a ‘striking force’ at the university’s main entrances during Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election scheduled for September 9.
Under a three-tire security arrangement, members of the university BNCC and the proctorial team will guard polling centers, police will be deployed and the army will remain stationed at the seven entrances of the university as ‘striking force’.
The decisions were disclosed on Tuesday at a views-exchange meeting between returning officers and candidates for VP, GS, and AGS posts, held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building.
Returning officers also urged candidates to follow the electoral code of conduct and help ensure a fair atmosphere.
Officials said that if necessary, army personnel will enter the campus during polling and after the voting ends polling centers will remain cordoned off by the army until results are announced. Entry during vote counting will be restricted to only authorised persons.
It was also announced that the Dhaka University station of the metro rail will remain closed on September 8 and 9. On the election day, the campus will be completely sealed off with access restricted to valid students, accredited journalists, and those directly involved in election management.
From September 2, no outsiders will be allowed to stay in residential halls, a measure to be enforced through regular patrols.
Special bus services will be operated on different routes to facilitate voters residing outside the campus. Citing Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), returning officers said patrol teams are already active and police will act under the directives of the returning officers.