DUCSU Elections: BNP’s Student Wing Likely to Announce Panel Today

The Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the BNP, is expected to announce its panel today for the long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections.

Meanwhile, several other student organisations and alliances have already declared their candidates or hinted at potential panels, creating an atmosphere of festivity across the campus.

After six years, DUCSU elections are finally set to take place. This year’s election will contest 28 central positions, an increase from 25 in the last polls, following the addition of three new posts.

• Nomination papers collected (Central DUCSU): 565
• Nomination papers collected (Hall Union): 1,226
• Total registered voters: 39,775
  • Male: 20,871
  • Female: 18,902

The deadline for collecting and submitting nomination forms was extended by one day, enabling candidates to complete the process until today.

Chief Returning Officer Professor Md. Jasim Uddin confirmed that no significant breaches of the electoral code of conduct were reported. Verification of nominations will be completed soon, and the final list of candidates will be published on 21 August at 1 PM.

The JCD has not yet finalised its full panel. However, several of its leaders, including BM Kawser, Abidul Islam Khan, and Tanvir Bari Hamim, collected nomination papers as individual candidates yesterday. Party insiders confirmed that a full panel will be announced by tonight.

Hamim, convener of Jasimuddin Hall unit of JCD, stated: “We have not finalised the panel yet. As yesterday was the last day to collect forms, we took them collectively with our members. The official panel will be declared tomorrow.”

Islami Chhatra Shibir announced a full panel, highlighting inclusivity with participation from Chakma students, differently-abled students, and those injured in past protests.

• VP Candidate: Sadiq Kayem (Former DU Shibir President)
• GS Candidate: SM Forhad (Current DU Shibir President)
• AGS Candidate: Mohiuddin Khan (DU Shibir General Secretary)

The panel also includes representatives from various cultural, legal, and social domains. Notable names:

• Liberation War & Democratic Movement Secretary: Fatima Tasnim Jhuma (Inqilab Manch)
• International Affairs Secretary: Khan Jasim (lost an eye in July protests)
• Literature & Culture Secretary: Nurul Islam Sabbir

Shibir’s Central General Secretary Nurul Islam Saddam said: “We have tried to form an inclusive panel, representing all students. We are confident about winning and implementing welfare initiatives for the student body.”

The Left Alliance will contest jointly.

• VP Candidate: Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi (Former VP, Shamsunnahar Hall, elected in 2019)
• GS Candidate: Meghmallar Basu (DU President, one faction of Chhatra Union)

Other candidates from Revolutionary Student Unity and associated groups also collected nomination papers, though the complete panel is yet to be declared.

The student wing of Islami Andolon Bangladesh has announced its full panel.

• VP Candidate: Central President Yasin Arafat
• GS Candidate: Khairul Ahsan Marjan (Central Joint Secretary)
• AGS Candidate: Saif Mohammad Alauddin

The panel consists of 28 nominated candidates across all DUCSU posts.

The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (Bagchas) will contest under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Alliance.

• VP Candidate: Abdul Kader (DU Convenor, Bagchas)
• GS Candidate: Abu Bakar Mojumdar (Central Convenor, Bagchas)
• AGS Candidate: Ashrefa Khatun (Spokesperson, Bagchas)

The official panel announcement is still pending.

The Chhatra Odhikar Parishad declared its panel with the slogan “Vote for Change”.

• VP Candidate: Bin Yamin Molla (Central President)
• GS Candidate: Sabina Yasmin
• AGS Candidate: Rakibul Islam (DU Branch Secretary)

Other notable names include Shakil Khan (Science & Technology), Arifur Rahman (Social Welfare), and Ishteak Ahmed (Human Rights & Legal Affairs).

Independent Panels and New Alliances

• Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has announced an independent panel. She will contest for VP, joined by Al Sadi Bhuiya (former DU Journalists’ Association President) for GS, and Mohyuddin Mujahid Mahi (current President of DUJA) for AGS.
• Jamaluddin Muhammad Khalid, convener of Independent Bangladesh Chhatra Sangshad, launched the “DU First” panel with Mahin Sarkar (ex-anti-discrimination coordinator, NCP leader).
  • VP: Jamaluddin Muhammad Khalid
  • GS: Mahin Sarkar
  • AGS: Fateha Sharmin Anny (President, Lakshmipur Student Welfare Association)

The university administration has formed a four-member probe committee led by Assistant Proctor Dr Rabiul Islam to investigate an incident that took place at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall during the final hours of nomination paper distribution.

Other members include:

• Prof ASM Arif Mahmud (Anthropology Department)
• Assistant Proctor Dr AKM Nur Alam Siddiqui
• Assistant Proctor Atia Sanjida Sharmi

The committee will verify the incident, evaluate circumstances, and submit recommendations.