After a long hiatus, elections for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) are finally set to take place on 9 September.
With campaigning in full swing, the Dhaka University campus has turned into a hive of activity as candidates roam from door to door in academic buildings, seeking votes from students.
However, the ongoing examination season has created a clash. Students report that the frequent interruptions caused by candidates entering their rooms are hampering their study time. To deal with this, many have resorted to an unconventional yet humorous solution: putting up notices on their doors discouraging entry—unless the candidates bring food items such as biryani, fruit, or snacks.
| Student Notices | Messages Displayed on Doors |
| Jagannath Hall (Room 1) | “Year finals are ongoing. Entry into the room is discouraged. If you must come in, bring fruits and snacks.” |
| Jagannath Hall (Room 2) | “To seek votes for any DUCSU post, enter this room with a biryani budget. You will get 100% of the votes. Sweet words alone won’t work.” |
| Another Hall | “Exam tomorrow. If you knock on this door today for campaigning, you will not get my vote.” |
Abhishek, a student of Jagannath Hall, shared his frustration: “Many candidates keep coming to the rooms. As soon as one leaves, another arrives within two minutes. It becomes impossible to study properly. Not just me—many students are facing the same issue. That’s why some have posted these notices on their doors, while others have written them in a light-hearted, joking manner.”
This unique form of protest highlights the tension between academic pressure and electioneering enthusiasm, showing how students are creatively balancing the two.
