DUCSU election today

All are set for transition-time crucial election to Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall unions today amid hope for a smooth sailing.

The voting for student union at the apex seat of learning in Bangladesh is seen as a litmus test ahead of national elections set for transition from the political interregnum after the July student-mass uprising.

Voting in the highly competitive election is set to take place at eight centres on the university campus from 8:00am to 4:00pm without break.

A total of 1,506 candidates are contesting 262 positions in DUCSU and hall unions.

Among them, 471 candidates are running for 28 DUCSU posts while 1,035 contesting 234 hall-union posts.

After the lapse of 28 years, the DUCSU election was last held in 2019. Once again the process came to a halt until this year when students' continuous demand and movements following the July uprising in 2024 led to the announcement of the election schedule on July 29.

A total of 39,874 registered voters will cast their vote. Among them, 20,915 are from 13 male residential halls and 18,959 from five female halls.

For the three top DUCSU posts, a record 45 candidates are contesting Vice President (VP), 19 General Secretary (GS), and 25 Assistant General Secretary (AGS).

Some candidates have already withdrawn in favour of others, while some remained less active in campaigning, which left a few top contenders with stronger visibility.

In the race are nine panels. They are Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Oikyabaddha Shikkharti Jote, Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharti Sangsad, Protirodh Prashad, Samanwita Shikkharti Jote, Student Rights Council, Oporajeya 71-Odomma 24, Shocheton Shikkharti Sangsad, and Swatantra Shikkharti Oikya Panel.

Besides the panels, campus sources say, many independent candidates have already gained popularity.

From Chhatra Dal, the VP candidate is Abidul Islam Khan from the 2015-16 session of Islamic Studies. He is Joint General Secretary of DU Chhatra Dal. His political standing and organizational skills have made him increasingly popular among students. GS candidate Tanvir Bari Hamim from the 2018-19 session of Women and Gender Studies is convener of Jasim Uddin Hall Chhatra Dal. He is known for his "dynamic leadership".

The Oikyabaddha Shikkharti Jote, led by Chhatra Shibir, has gained attention for its student-friendly policies. Its VP candidate is Abu Sadiq Kayem from the 2016-17 session of Political Science and central publication secretary of Shibir. GS candidate SM Forhad from the 2017-18 session of Social Welfare and Research Institute is president of the Shibir DU unit. This panel has also included physically challenged and indigenous students as candidates.

From the Anti-Discrimination Student Parliament panel, VP candidate Abdul Kader from the 2018-19 session of Social Welfare and Research Institute is convener of the DU unit of Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS). Previously he was active in the Student Rights Council. GS candidate Abu Bakar Mojumdar from the 2019-20 session of Geology is central convener of BAGCHAS and played a vital role during the July uprising that brought about political regime change.

The Protirodh Prashad, comprising left-leaning organisations, has VP candidate Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi from the 2013-14 session of Sociology. She also served as VP of Shamsun Nahar Hall in 2019. GS candidate Meghmollar Basu from the 2015-16 session of Peace and Conflict Studies is president of the DU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union and is well-known for his leftist ideology.

From the Samanwita Shikkharti Sangsad, VP candidate Jamal Uddin Khalid from the 2018-19 session of Arabic is convener of Swadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad and is recognized for his organizational capacity. GS candidate Mahin Sarkar from the 2018-19 session of Bangla has already withdrawn in support of Abu Bakar Mojumdar.

The Swatantra Shikkharti Oikya Panel is led by former anti-discrimination student leader Umama Fatema. She herself is contesting the post of VP from the 2018-19 session of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is a resident of Sufia Kamal Hall. She is known for her bold role. GS candidate Al Sadi Bhuiyan from the 2016-17 session of Anthropology is a former president of the DU Journalists' Association.

From the Student Rights Council, VP candidate Bin Yamin Molla from the 2014-15 session of Public Administration is its central president, known for his long struggle in student politics. GS candidate Sabina Yasmin from the 2018-19 session of Peace and Conflict Studies is the council's central vice president.

The combined progressive panel Oporajeya 71-Odomma 24 consists of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Socialist Students' Front, and BCL. Its VP candidate is Naim Hasan Hridoy from the 2017-18 session of Communication Disorders and current president of DU Chhatra League. GS candidate Enamul Hasan Anoy from the 2021-22 session of Political Science is education and research secretary of Chhatra Union.

From Islami Chhatra Andolan, the Shocheton Shikkharti Dang panel has VP candidate Yasin Arafat from the 2017-18 session of Islamic Studies. He is a former DU unit president and now a central executive member. GS candidate Khairul Ahsan Marzan from the 2018-19 session of International Relations is central joint general secretary of the organization.

Among the independent candidates, VP contender Shamim Hossain from the 2019-20 session of English has drawn popularity for his logical and attractive speeches. He was previously a DU Chhatra League leader. Independent GS candidate Ashiqur Rahman has gained recognition with his distinctive manifesto.

Other VP candidates include Ariful Islam, Al Amin Islam, Asif Anwar, Abdul Wahed, Shadek Hossain, Jalal Ahmed, Tahmina Akter, Din Mohammad Sohag Aladin, Marzia Hossain Jamila, Mahdi Hasan, Muhammad Abu Taiyab Habilder, Delowar Hossain, Azgar Bepari, Shafi Rahman, Ataur Rahman Shipon, Abul Hossain, Uzzal Hossain, Nasim Uddin, Faisal Ahmed, Rasel Mahmud, Sujon Hossain, Sohanur Rahman, Habibullah, Helalur Rahman, Jannati Bulbul, Zayed Bin Iqbal, Rakibul Hasan, Rasel Haque, Rahul Deb Roy, Riaz Uddin Ahmed, Shah Jamal Sayem, and Sumit Sen.

Among the other GS candidates are Arafat Chowdhury, Mahmudul Hasan, Naim Islam, Mostakim Billah Masum, Niaz Makhdoom, Rakibul Hasan Munna, Shariful Islam Bhuiyan, Samrat Islam, and Saiyadul Bashar.

Eight centres with 810 booths: the voting will take place at 810 booths across eight centres on the DU campus. Students of Shahidullah Hall, Ekushey Hall, and Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall will vote at Curzon Hall. Students of Jagannath Hall, Zohurul Haq Hall, and Salimullah Muslim Hall will cast their ballots at the Physical Education Centre. Only Rokeya Hall students will vote at TSC. Students of Kuwait Maitree Hall and Fozilatunnesa Mujib Hall will vote at DU Club.

Senate Bhaban has been designated for students of AF Rahman Hall, Mohsin Hall, and Bijoy Ekattor Hall. Students of Surya Sen Hall, Ziaur Rahman Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hall, and Jasim Uddin Hall will cast votes at Udayan School and College. Sufia Kamal Hall students will vote at the Geology Department and Shamsun Nahar Hall students at ULAB School and College.

Results will be displayed on LED screens.

On Sunday (7 September) night, Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin issued a notice stating that vote-counting results will be displayed live on LED screens outside each centre.

Another notice stated that voters will not be allowed to carry bags, mobile phones, smartwatches, any electronic device, water bottles, or any liquid inside polling centres.

To ensure security, different measures have been taken. Members of BNCC, the proctorial team, and police forces are on duty. Only authorized persons will be allowed in during vote count.

Residential halls have already been cleared of outsiders. Today the campus will remain sealed off with access only to valid students, accredited journalists, and election officials.

To facilitate voting for students living outside the campus, the university authorities have arranged additional bus trips on different routes. Police will assist in ensuring smooth transport.

All candidates present at the meeting expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements and raised no objections.

On Monday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Molla Azad told reporters, "A special security plan has been implemented for the election."

According to the plan, police have been deployed since 6:00am. "Maximum security measures are in place," he said in the run-up to the student polls, hoping that with cooperation from all parties, the election will conclude peacefully.

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