Announced Panels for Ducsu Election
The Dhaka University central students' union (Ducsu) elections are fast approaching, and the campus atmosphere is becoming increasingly charged each day. A variety of panels and candidates have emerged, each vying for the opportunity to represent students.
One of the notable panels is Ducsu for Change, backed by Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and fielding Bin Yamin Molla for the post of Vice-President (VP). Another panel, Shochoton Shikkharthi Songshad, is the student wing of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, with former DU president Yasin Arafat contesting for VP, Khairul Ahsan Marzan for General Secretary (GS), and Saif Mohammad Alauddin for Assistant General Secretary (AGS).
The Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikko panel, formed under former spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Umama Fatema, has yet to announce its full panel, but student journalist leader Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi is expected to run for GS. The Oikyoboddho Shikkharthi Jote panel, supported by Islami Chhatra Shibir, includes Md Abu Sadiq (Kayem) for VP, SM Farhad for GS, and Mohiuddin Khan for AGS.
The Unity to Rebuild panel, founded by the DU Chhatra Federation, has nominated Armanul Hoque for AGS, while the candidate for the post of AGS for the panel "Unity to Rebuild," is Md. Rasel Chowdhury. The Protirodh Porshad alliance of leftist student organisations has announced a panel under this name, with Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi for VP, DU Chhatra Union president Meghmollar Basu for GS, and Md Jabir Ahmed Jubel for AGS.
Chhatra Dal, one of the major student organisations, has formed committees in 18 DU residential halls ahead of the polls, and has nominated Md Abidul Islam Khan for VP, Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim for GS, and Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed for AGS. The Boishomyobirodhi Shikkharthi Songshad panel is backed by the Democratic Students' Alliance (BGCS) and fields Abdul Kader for VP, Abu Bakar Mojumdar for GS, and Ashrefa Khatun for AGS.
BGCS rift widens as breakaway leaders launch separate Ducsu bids, fielding Naim Hasan Hridoy of the Department of Communication Disorders for VP, Enamul Hasan Onoy of Political Science for GS, and Aditi Islam of Philosophy for AGS, with more names expected later. The Oporajeyo 71-Adommo 24 coalition, comprising a faction of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Socialist Students' Front, and BCL (Bangladesh Jasad's student wing), has yet to announce its candidates.
In addition to these panels, other independents have declared additional partial panels, including one led by Md Jubair bin Nessary and Musaddik Ali Ibn Mohammad, and many independent candidates are running for both central and hall-level posts.
The final outcome of the Ducsu elections, with regards to who will represent students, will only be known once the votes are counted. The elections promise to be a closely contested battle, with each panel and candidate vying for the support of the student body.
