DUCSU Polls: Women may sway vote

DU Correspondent :

The 2025 Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections are set to be historic, with female students poised to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome. Of the 39,775 registered voters, 18,902 – nearly 48 per cent – are women, while a growing number of female candidates are contesting key positions.

A total of 462 students are standing for office, including 60 women. In the race for vice president, 43 male and five female candidates are vying for votes. Analysts suggest that while male voters are likely to concentrate on male candidates, female votes may gravitate towards female candidates, forcing male contenders to actively court female support.

Similar patterns are evident for other senior posts. For the general secretary position, 18 men and one woman are contesting, while the assistant general secretary race features 24 male and four female candidates. Observers note that the high number of male candidates across most positions could split male votes, potentially giving well-positioned female candidates an advantage.

Other positions also reflect gender imbalances: human rights and law secretary – eight male, three female; health and environment secretary – 12 male, three female; sports secretary – 12 male, one female; research and publication secretary – seven male, four female; literature secretary – 17 male, two female; while students’ transport and international affairs secretary positions have only male candidates. Female candidates dominate the common room, reading room, and cafeteria secretary contests, with nine women and two men, while the member positions feature 191 male and 24 female candidates.

Mamun Or Rashid, a student of Arabic Literature from Surja Sen Hall, said the crowded male fields may divide votes, giving women a better chance unless male candidates are perceived as more qualified. “This may be due to the idea that boys vote for boys and girls vote for girls, but students should move beyond this mindset,” he said.

Candidates themselves stress a commitment to all students. Shaikh Tanvir Baree Hamim, GS candidate of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-supported panel, said, “We are focused on earning the support of all students, not just female voters.

” Similarly, Mohiuddin Khan, AGS candidate of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported panel, said, “Female students will vote for candidates who work for both male and female students. We hope to earn their support by demonstrating our commitment to the whole student body.”

With female voters nearly equalling male voters for the first time, DUCSU 2025 could mark a turning point in the university’s electoral history, reshaping campaign strategies and outcomes across all positions.