Umama Fatema, a vice-presidential candidate from the Independent Student Unity panel in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) hall elections, admitted staying at Rokeya Hall at midnight but denied she was there for electioneering.

She said, “I did not come for any election campaign. I went there for personal reasons and entered the hall before the gates were closed. The claim that I entered at 1:30am is completely fabricated. No one can prove that I sought votes.”

Speaking to Banglanews on Monday (August 25), she described reports of her involvement in late-night campaigning as “false” and “deliberately motivated.”

Umama argued that she is being harassed because of her decision to contest the election independently. 

“Those who did not want me in the race are trying to portray me as guilty and have put me on trial on Facebook. These targeted attacks are linked directly to the election. But from today’s experience, I can say that one hall’s students visiting another hall is not a criminal offence,” she added.

She further noted that many female students face such harassment regularly. “If I am elected, I will ensure that girls from one hall can visit another hall without fear or difficulty,” she said.

When asked how she was able to enter Rokeya Hall despite restrictions on students from other halls, Umama responded: “I was not stopped at the gate.”

The incident has drawn criticism from female students of Dhaka University, who questioned how Umama managed to disregard a rule that ordinary students cannot ignore.

Chief Election Commissioner Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin said the commission has learned of the matter through the media but has not yet received any formal complaints.

“If we get a written complaint, that would help. Then at least we can call a meeting and issue a warning. For now, we are only hearing reports, but a formal complaint would allow us to take proper action,” he explained.

Rokeya Hall Provost Dr Hosne Ara Begum confirmed Umama’s presence, saying CCTV footage is being reviewed. “She was indeed in the hall, and we asked her to leave in the morning,” she stated.

Headline: Umama denies campaigning at Rokeya Hall, calls reports ‘deliberately false’

SMS/