The campus of Dhaka University (DU) seethes with fierce arguments over the highly overdue Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election. All student organizations, from the left to the right, agree with the necessity of reforms. However, they are divided over whether such reform should come before or after the elections.
Earlier on Saturday, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan announced the formation of a committee for organising the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election.
He made the announcement after inspecting the examination centres for the 2024-2025 undergraduate admission tests for the Faculty of Fine Arts.
Prof Niaz said that the DUCSU is part of our commitment. We have put together a committee for this and it will consult all stakeholders before making recommendations to the university administration on the basis of which it will plan a festive DUCSU election. The process is being carried out in a systematic manner.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement has given the Vice-Chancellor a 72-hour ultimatum to provide a roadmap regarding the DUCSU election.
After the announcement, the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, Chhatra Shibir and Revolutionary Students' Union all want elections to be organised by February. Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Chhatra Union, and Chhatra Front are advocating for more necessary reforms-such as amending the DUSU constitution and segregating pro-Awami League members from the syndicate-before the election actually takes place.
Five years have elapsed since last DUSU elections in 2019. For this long delay, four organizations submitted a memorandum last Wednesday to the Vice-Chancellor urging for an immediate election road-map. Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal demanded reforms in a syndicate meeting and the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement demanded immediate polls.
JCD argue that it would be meaningless to conduct elections when there are systemic flaws, such as the amendments to the Constitution and the restoration of democratic fairness on campus before elections.
Nahiduzzaman Shipon, General Secretary of JCD said the DUCSU constitution is more tailored for Chhatra League in the year 2019. However, the students would want far-reaching reforms in order to enable their voices to be heard. Any elections produced out of unfair conditions wouldn't reflect that truth in reality.
Sohail Ahmed Shubho, General Secretary of Chhatra Front criticised the restrictions upon democratic activities in the halls, and demanded restoring the room to fair condition before holding any elections.
Meanwhile, groups seeking for the elections to take place without delay now argue that reforms can be carried out simultaneously or after the elections.
Umaima Fatima, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement said, Concealing elections in the name of reforms is unacceptable. Students now need representation, and there's just a need to announce a roadmap immediately.
Ripples of confusion among certain groups refusing to embrace the same issues for which they stood in such a line has been expressed by SM Farhad, the President of Shibir's DU unit. Reforms could be achieved within a short time. He said, let the election take place within the time frame of the university.
Nazia Hasan Rasha, President of Revolutionary Students' Union emphasized that elections should be held by February while admonishing the undemocratic aspects of the constitution and using reforms as an excuse to delay such elections.
However, varying timelines, student leaders still converge on the necessity of having a clear electoral road map.
Meghmallar Bosu, President of Chhatra Union suggested a roadmap balancing reform as well as elections urging the administration to clear the plans for ensuring fairness in the campus.
Mohammad Sanaullah Haque, President of the Students' Rights Council said that he would take up the idea of collecting reform proposals from students to match decisions with their expectations.
Sohail Ahmed Shubho, General Secretary of Chhatra Front pointed out the absence of democratic space in the dormitories which makes it hard for the organizations to enter into the students.
He urged rather to put priority to a fair environment than rush head-on into an election.
Mohammad Yasin Arafat, President of Islami Chhatra Andolan noted, DUSU's absence has not allowed students to raise their voices effectively.
He also stated that reforms should address the election process.
All organizations agree and converged said on reforms; however, a dispute over the timing of the election thrown the argument on campus. Clear cut decisive action from the administrative sides to announce a roadmap incorporating both reforms and timely elections may, therefore, create a consensus and restore student representation at Dhaka University.
