Authorities at Dhaka University have cleared banners, festoons, and campaign boards that had been put up across the campus in violation of the electoral code of conduct.
The move came a day after the DUCSU polls chief returning officer issued an urgent notice instructing candidates to remove all such campaign materials immediately.
Since Monday, posters and banners had appeared in prominent spots including TSC, hall areas, VC Chattar, Mall Chattar, the Faculty of Fine Arts, Curzon Hall, and in front of the central library.
They were installed by several student platforms, including Shotontro Shikkharthi Oikya, Protirodh Porshod, Oikkoboddho Shikkharthi Jote, as well as a number of independent candidates.
Professor Golam Rabbani, convener of the task force on electoral code of conduct, said, "Many put those up without knowing the rules. That's why we have served show-cause notices. We cleared them, and if anyone puts them up again, punitive action will be taken."
However, some independent candidates have alleged bias in enforcement. Independent candidate Samsuddoza Nabab said, "This is visible discrimination against the independent candidates. No action has been taken against the politically-backed ones. Only one independent candidate has been show-caused."
Earlier, the chief returning officer's office issued a show-cause notice against independent candidate, Mahbub Khalashi, for launching his manifesto at TSC through a cultural programme without prior approval from the commission.
According to section 7(a) of the electoral code, campaigners are only permitted to print and distribute black-and-white posters, leaflets, or handbills. The use of PVC or any other type of banner, festoon, or board is strictly prohibited.
