Heat surrounds Dhaka University's DUCSU elections

Dhaka University is holding its Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and Hall of Parliament elections again after a long six years. The presence of the youth who led the quota reform movement and the recent July mass uprising has created a huge stir in the political arena surrounding this year's elections.

The university administration officially announced the DUCSU election schedule on Tuesday. It said that nominations can be submitted until August 19. The final list of candidates will be published on August 25 and voting will be held on September 9.

This time there is no age limit, evening students will not be able to participate

In the 2019 DUCSU elections, the maximum age for candidates was 30 years. However, this time this limit has been lifted. Only full-time students of the university can become candidates. However, students studying evening, executive masters, diploma, certificate or language courses will be considered ineligible for elections and voting.

In addition, students of the 2018-19 academic year who lost their student status will also not be able to participate in the elections. The university authorities said that these decisions have been taken to avoid legal complications.

Voting to be held at six centres outside campus

In response to the demands of student organisations, it has been decided to hold voting at six centres outside the residence halls for this year's elections.
The centers are:

Curzon Hall Examination Center: Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, Fazlul Haque Hall

Physical Education Center: Jagannath Hall, Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, Salimullah Muslim Hall

TSC Center: Rokeya Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Sufia Kamal Hall

Dhaka University Club Center: Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall

Senate Bhaban Center: Sir A.F. Rahman Hall, Muhsin Hall, Bijoy Ekattor Hall

Udayan School and College Center: Suryasen Hall, Ziaur Rahman Hall, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall

Student organizations' strategy: Trying to form a combined panel, not a partisan one

Since the announcement of the schedule, student organizations have been busy selecting candidates. This time, most organizations are thinking of going beyond their party identity and forming a "combined general student panel."

According to analysts, students who played a role in the July coup could be ahead in the election. In addition, the votes of women, science faculty, minority and non-resident students are expected to become important this time.

Potential candidates in discussion

This time, DUCSU will hold elections for 28 posts, of which four new posts have been added:

Research and Publications Secretary

Career Development Secretary

Health and Environment Secretary

Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary

The potential candidates in discussion are:

Democratic Students' Union: Abu Baker Majumder, Zahid Ahsan, Tahmid Al Muddasir, Abdul Quader

Anti-Discrimination Movement: Umama Fatima

DU Journalists' Association: Mohiuddin Mujahid

Students' Party: Abidul Islam Khan, BM Kawsar, Tanvir Bari Hamim

Students' Union: Meghmallar Basu

Revolutionary Students' Alliance: Jabir Ahmed

Student Camp: Abu Sadiq Kayem, SM Farhad

Students' Rights Council: Bin Yamin Molla

Controversy and Reaction

The students' party has demanded that the election The schedule was announced in a hurry and there was no proper discussion with the students. Dhaka University branch general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon said, “No action has been taken against those who have been accused of torture.”

The students’ union says that the elections are being organized in the old structure, ignoring the students’ reform proposals. The organization’s general secretary Shimul Kumbhakar said, “The participation of those who were involved in the genocide can make this election controversial.”

Democratic Student Union convener Abdul Quader called on the university administration, saying, “We must be careful so that the election is not thwarted by any conspiracy.”

Islami Chhatra Shibir welcomed the election and said that the schedule for the student union elections should be announced on all campuses.

Jabir Ahmed of the Revolutionary Student Alliance said, “The administration must take responsibility so that muscle power and money do not influence the election.”

After a long wait, the DUCSU elections have created an opportunity for new hope and leadership formation among students. However, it will only be fruitful through fair, impartial and participatory elections. This year's elections are going to become an important platform not only for determining leadership, but also for determining the future direction of student politics.