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DU gearing up for DUCSU polls

Five-member body to give recommendations for constitution amendment


Abu Rakib | January 10, 2019 00:00:00


Dhaka University (DU) has embarked on preparations for holding the much-awaited elections to Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall unions.

A draft voter list for the election has already been published and the university authorities have called a meeting with the student organisations working on the campus for today (Thursday).

DU Vice Chancellor Akhtaruzzaman has formed a five-member committee to give recommendations for an amendment, if necessary, to the DUCSU constitution, which was last amended in 1998.

Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Provost and Professor of the Law Department of the university Dr Mizanur Rahman, who is convener of the committee, sent a letter to the student organisations in this regard on Sunday.

Many student organisations have confirmed that they received the letter.

Hours after issuance of the letter, the Supreme Court cleared the way for holding the DUCSU elections.

Four other members of the committee are - Surja Sen Hall provost and Dhaka University Teachers' Association president Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall provost and Faculty of Law Dean Dr Md. Rahmat Ullah, Ruqayyah Hall provost Dr. Zeenat Huda and Shamsunnahar Hall provost Dr Supriya Saha.

Deputy Registrar (Administration-4) Mohammad Moniruzzaman will provide support to the committee on overall matters.

Last year, on September 15, after a meeting with the representatives of the student organisations, DU vice chancellor Professor Akhtaruzzaman, at a briefing, said the DUCSU polls might be held by March 2019.

General students have expressed their joy and welcomed the DUCSU election, which will be held after 28 years.

Zalish Mahmud, a student of applied statistics department, told the FE, "Due to absence of DUCSU leadership, teachers, administration and the ruling party have had dominion over the general students for long. So, hopefully, after the DUCSU election the campus environment will be smooth, peaceful and there will be established rights and freedom of all students."

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) DU unit president Al Mehedi Talukder said, "Before the election, the university administration has to ensure the coexistence of all organisations. We have received a letter for the next Thursday meeting and we will place our demands before the authorities."

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) DU unit secretary Saddam Hossain said, "We have received a letter form the university and we will give our suggestions at the meeting."

Bangladesh Student Federation (BSF) DU unit president Umme Habiba Benjir said 'There is no more political coexistence among the student organisations at this time, but it is necessary before the election. Our 4-5 workers were beaten in front of the swimming pool of the campus by BCL cadres on December 25 last year."

University proctor Dr AKM Golam Rabbani said, "We are working sincerely for the DUCSU election following the vice chancellor's order. Hopefully, a very nice election will be held."

The DUCSU polls, however, have not been held in the past 28 years because of indifference of the successive university administrations and governments allegedly to continue their control over the campus.

DUCSU was formed in 1924 after the establishment of Dhaka University in 1921, and its first vice-president was nominated in the 1924-25 academic session.

Since then, the vice-president used to be nominated until 1953 when the first elections were held.

The latest DUCSU election was held in 1990. It was the sixth election after the country's independence. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed Aman-Khokon (Amanullah Aman and Khairul KabirKhokan) panel won the election and they continued to be leaders of the student body until its dissolution in 1998.

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