The Bangladesh Chhatra Union has placed a six-point demand ahead of the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, including the suspension of academic exams at least 15 days before polling.
The demands were announced on Monday at a press conference in front of the Chief Returning Officer’s office at the university’s Senate Building by DU unit president Meghmallar Bose.
He said the student body had long been urging the administration to take strict action against those affiliated with the ruling party’s student wing who were allegedly involved in student repression and criminal offenses during the Awami League’s tenure.
“Not just during last year’s July uprising, but throughout the past 16 years, many Chhatra League men have been involved in violence and other criminal activities. The administration has so far failed to disclose a complete list of such individuals. Instead, we now see notorious individuals, including Julius Caesar Talukder, former joint general secretary of Salimullah Muslim Hall Chhatra League and accused of violence, collecting nomination forms for DUCSU,” Bose said.
He warned that if perpetrators of repression are allowed to contest the polls, Chhatra Union, along with other stakeholders, will launch a strong movement to resist them.
The six demands raised by Chhatra Union are:
Immediate expulsion of all those involved in student repression during the Awami League era, with cancellation of their nominations.
Removal of teachers who supported student killings during the July uprising from hall provost posts.
Clear guidelines from the election committee on the conduct of political and campaign activities in university halls.
Suspension of all exams at least 15 days before polling and arrangement of additional transport for non-resident students to ensure maximum student participation. Also, measures to resolve inadequate polling centers.
Strict action by the administration against online rumors and disinformation, including groups and pages spreading propaganda under the university’s name.
A specific framework for how the administration will respond if mob situations arise on campus.
Chhatra Union also demanded the cancellation of Julius Caesar Talukder’s candidacy for vice president of DUCSU.
According to the election schedule, the DUCSU vote will be held on September 9. The final voter list will be published on August 11, while the deadline for submitting nomination papers is August 19. Scrutiny will take place on August 20, and the list of valid candidates will be announced on August 21. Withdrawal of candidature is set for August 25, with the final list of candidates to be published on August 26.
As per the 1973 Dhaka University Ordinance, DUCSU and hall union elections are supposed to be held every year. Five student representatives elected in DUCSU also serve as members of the university’s highest policymaking body, the Senate.
In its 100-year history, Dhaka University has held DUCSU elections 37 times. Of these, 29 were held during the 50 years under British and Pakistani rule. Since independence, however, DU students have voted only eight times in 53 years.
