DUCSU polls face uncertainty as term nears expiry

Uncertainty is growing over the next Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election as the current executive committee’s term nears expiry on 15 September, with the university yet to announce an election schedule or begin formal preparations.
The previous DUCSU election was held on 9 September last year. However, the administration has not formed an election commission, fixed a voting date or made a separate budgetary allocation for the polls.
Administrative sources said an initial preparatory meeting was held on 20 August, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof A B M Obaidul Islam. Hall provosts were verbally instructed to collect feedback from active student organisations during the meeting, but no formal election process has yet begun.
Prof Obaidul Islam told the Daily Sun, “The university authority wants to hold the election, but it is currently uncertain to specify a date or an election commission timeline.”
“Formal steps would be initiated if students, hall administrations and key stakeholders demand the polls,” he said.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Almujaddade Alfasane said, “The university administration is interested in organising the election but formal steps to reorganise the election have not yet been taken.”
“We will commence discussions with student representatives and former election officials soon,” he added.
University Treasurer Prof M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury declined to comment on the election plans and budgetary allocations.
Under the DUCSU constitution, the executive committee serves a 365-day term. If an election cannot be held by the scheduled date, the constitution allows a maximum extension of 90 days, after which the union automatically dissolves if no election is held.
The uncertainty has also revived concerns over whether regular student union elections can be sustained at public universities.
Following a prolonged hiatus, elections were held in 2025 at DUCSU, Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU), after student demands following the July mass uprising.
Administrative data show that DUCSU elections were held 14 times during British rule and 16 times during the Pakistan period — 30 before independence. In contrast, only nine elections have been held in the 55 years since independence.
Former DUCSU general secretary candidate Meghmallar Basu said, “DUCSU is very essential for representing general student rights. Making DUCSU polls regular and keeping the institution functional are indispensable.”
DUCSU Vice-President Abu Shadik Kayem called for placing DUCSU under a fixed academic calendar, saying, “Fresh elections must be held without any kind of delay once the current executive council’s term expires.”
Former DUCSU vice-president and CUCSU general secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna told the Daily Sun, “Holding timely elections is crucial for democratic practice. It ultimately develops future political leadership.”