Nomination collection ends amid festivity

Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:25 AM

Nomination collection ends amid festivity

Bangla Press Desk: The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election has entered a new phase with the conclusion of nomination collections on Tuesday, drawing a record number of participants in a "festive" atmosphere. A total of 2,085 students have formally collected nominations for both central and hall union posts, signalling an unprecedented level of interest in campus politics. According to Chief Election Commissioner Prof Mohammad Jasim Uddin, 658 nomination forms were sold for the 28 central posts, with 106 officially submitted. For the hall unions, 1,427 students submitted forms. Altogether, 2,085 students have filed nominations for both central and hall posts. Out of nearly 37,000 students at the university, about 1.78% have expressed interest in contesting the polls.

According to the Election Commission, 658 nomination forms have been collected for the 28 central posts, including 93 on the last day alone. Earlier, 442 forms had been collected over eight consecutive days.As per the election schedule, today is the last date for submission of nomination papers. Scrutiny will follow, and candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until 25 August. The final list will be published on 26 August, with polling scheduled for 9 September. Jasim Uddin said, “This time, only legitimate students have collected nomination papers. No one has taken a form with a party identity.” However, if anyone’s name appears on the list of criminals before the vote, their candidacy will be cancelled, he said.

Panel announcements and rivalriesWhile several organisations announced their panels, others are still finalising theirs. The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), which was expected to announce its panel on Tuesday, deferred the announcement to this afternoon. Intense discussions continue over its choice for vice-president (VP). Insiders said the central joint secretary Mominul Islam Jisan is leading the race, while Abidul Islam Khan and BM Kausar are also being considered. Tanvir Bari Hamim, convener of Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, is likely to vie for the general secretary (GS) post, while Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed of Bijoy Ekattor Hall is tipped for assistant general secretary (AGS). VP contender Jisan said the organisation will select its candidate in line with organisational interests. Abidul Islam Khan confirmed that several late-night meetings had been held, but no decision had been finalised. GS aspirant Hamim added, “We will form this year’s panel with those who were on the streets during the 17 years of fascism. The slogan will be - Together We Will Make Our DU Proud Again’.” On the last day of nomination collection, many JCD leaders and activists were seen filing individually.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir announced a complete panel under the banner ‘Unified Student Alliance’. Former DU unit President Abu Sadiq Kayem will contest for VP, current President SM Farhad for GS and Secretary Mohiuddin Khan for AGS.Other posts include Fatima Tasneem Juma (Liberation War and Democratic Movement), Khan Jasim (International), Nurul Islam Sabbir (Literature and Culture), Arman Hossain (Sports), Asif Abdullah (Transport), Shariful Islam Muaz (Social Services), Sajjad Hossain Khan (Research and Publication), Mazharul Islam (Career Development), Abdullah Al Minhaj (Health and Environment), and Sakhawat Zakaria (Human Rights and Law). The Left Democratic Alliance unveiled its panel, Resistance Council, at a Madhur Canteen press conference. Revolutionary Students’ Unity General Secretary Jabir Ahmed Jubel announced the panel, which includes VP candidate Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi, GS Meghmallar Basu, and AGS Jubel himself. However, rifts have emerged within the alliance. Another faction is reportedly preparing an alternative panel featuring Naeem Hasan Hridoy (VP), Mahbubur Rahman (GS), and Anoy (AGS). Controversy has also surrounded VP candidate Imi. Her 2019 remark proposing that Sheikh Hasina be made a lifetime member of DUCSU has resurfaced, drawing criticism.

Several other groups are set to announce their panels today. These include Bangladesh Democratic Student Council, Umama Fatima-led Journalist Alliance, and the independent panel DU First.The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Parishad is reportedly fielding Abdul Qader (VP), Abu Baker Majumder (GS), and Ashrefa Khatun (AGS) under the banner Anti-Discrimination Student Council. Former Bangladesh Students Federation leader Umama Fatima, also a former spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, will contest independently for VP. Journalist leaders Al Saadi Bhuiyan (former DUJA president) and Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi (current DUJA president) are expected to contest for GS and AGS, respectively from her panel. Another independent panel, DU First, led by Independent Bangladesh Students’ Union convener Jamaluddin Muhammad Khalid, will also contest. Khalid is the VP candidate, while Mahin Sarkar and Fatema Shahrin are expected to run for GS and AGS. The panel’s full list is to be announced soon. The Chhatra Odhikar Parishad has launched its panel, DUCSU for Change, with central President Bin Yamin Molla for VP, Sabina Yasmin for GS and Rakibul Islam for AGS. In addition, the Islami Chhatra Andolan declared its full panel: former President Yasin Arafat (VP), central associate editor Ahsan Marjan (GS), and DU branch General Secretary Saif Mohammad Alauddin (AGS). With nominations closing and panels being announced one after another, the long-awaited DUCSU election is shaping up to be a highly competitive and colourful political contest on the Dhaka University campus. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.

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