Hopes run high as DU goes to vote today

The much-anticipated Ducsu and hall union elections are set to be held today after a six-year pause, bringing renewed hope for campus democracy.

With nearly 40,000 registered voters and 471 candidates vying for 28 central posts, the stakes are high -- not just for student leadership, but for the future of participatory politics at Dhaka University.

The DU campus, which had long been dominated by ruling party-backed student wings, has come alive in recent weeks with vibrant campaigning, creative leaflets, and intense debates among candidates pledging academic reforms and a safer, more inclusive environment.

Security has been tightened, with over 2,000 law enforcers deployed to ensure peaceful polling.

Voting will take place across eight centres on the campus -- all outside dormitories for the first time.

A total of 39,775 voters are registered to cast their ballots in 810 booths. Among them, 20,873 are male and 18,902 female.

Each student will vote for 41 positions -- 28 in Ducsu and 13 in hall unions. Besides 471 candidates for Ducsu, 1,035 are contesting 234 posts in 18 hall unions.

The last Ducsu polls were held on March 11, 2019, after 28 years, and were marred by intimidation and irregularities. Nurul Haq Nur, then a quota reform leader, was elected vice president, while Golam Rabbani of the now-banned Chhatra League became general secretary. Voter turnout that year was 59.5 percent.

As of yesterday, no major untoward incidents had been reported. The authorities said all-out measures were taken to hold the election in a festive atmosphere.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan told reporters, "We've reached the final stage of the process after crossing all hurdles … The opportunity to create a new history is ahead of us."

Following last year's student-led July uprising, holding student union elections was one of the key demands. DU is the first major public university to hold polls after the movement.

As the epicentre of the uprising, it was where students declared protest programmes, and most of the coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination platform -- which led the uprising -- were from this campus.

Many of them are now contesting from rival panels for top Ducsu posts.

A record 45 candidates, including five women, are running for vice president. Close contests are expected among Abdul Qader, Umama Fatema, Md Abidul Islam Khan, Md Abu Shadik Kayem and Shameem Hossen.

Nineteen candidates are vying for general secretary. Among them, Abu Baker Mojumder, Sheikh Tanvir Baree Hamim, Meghmallar Bosu and SM Farhad are frontrunners.

For assistant general secretary, 25 contenders are in the race. Names most mentioned by residential students include Ashrefa Khatun, Jahed Ahmed, Tanbir Al Hadi Mayed, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury and Mohiuddin Khan.

However, non-resident students, who make up about 40 percent of the electorate, will play a decisive role.

The fiercest competition is for the 13 member posts in Ducsu, with 217 candidates. Each of the 12 secretary posts has 11 to 19 contenders.

Ducsu ballots will have five pages, while hall union ballots will be one page. Voters will use Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets. The election commission said if each voter takes 10 minutes, all ballots can be cast within the allotted time from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Jagannath Hall has the highest number of male voters with 2,222, while Rokeya Hall accounts for the largest female electorate with 5,641.

For male students, the designated centres are Curzon Hall (for Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall); Physical Education Centre (for Jagannath Hall, Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, Salimullah Muslim Hall); Senate Building (for Sir AF Rahman Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Bijoy Ekattor Hall); and Udayan School and College (for Surja Sen Hall, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall).

For female students, four centres have been set up: TSC (for Rokeya Hall); Dhaka University Club (for Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall); Geology Department (for Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall); and University Laboratory School and College (for Shamsunnahar Hall).

The DU VC yesterday attended meetings with government high-ups and law enforcers at the secretariat. Later, he said there is nothing to suggest law and order will spiral out of control.

"Those who'll win and those who won't -- all have roles in reviving the institution that fosters leadership and democratic practices."

Ducsu, he added, will be a platform that speaks against all forms of injustice.

Chief Returning Officer Prof Mohammad Zashim Uddin said vote counting will be broadcast live on LED screens outside polling stations to ensure transparency. Bags, mobile phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices will not be allowed. A special shuttle service will facilitate voter movement.

DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said stringent measures are in place, including check-posts at campus gates, regular patrols, CCTV surveillance, SWAT teams, bomb disposal squads, intelligence units, and the presence of RAB and BGB.

"We expect security to be strong tomorrow [today]," he told reporters.