NN ONLINE:
Dhaka University voters took part in the long-awaited DUCSU election, with law adviser and respected academic Dr. Asif Nazrul describing the process as a significant stride toward democratic revival in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post posted the eve of the election, Nazrul urged students to participate in large numbers and to extend democratic grace to whoever wins:
“Today is the DUCSU election. For the first time in nearly two decades, the youth of this country will have the opportunity to freely exercise their voting rights. I hope every student at Dhaka University will seize this moment and participate in large numbers. Whoever wins, let others welcome them in the spirit of democratic grace.
He added that the election marks a giant leap toward democracy and prayed for its success. The DUCSU election, held on Tuesday (Sept 9), runs from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at eight polling centers across the campus.
Each student is eligible to cast 41 votes—28 for central union posts and 13 for hall union posts. A total of 39,874 voters are registered, including 20,915 men and 18,959 women. There are 471 candidates contesting for 28 central positions, comprising 409 male and 62 female contenders. The election is widely viewed as a milestone for student politics and a pivotal test of democratic practices at one of Bangladesh’s premier universities.
