DUCSU election panel formed with three teachers

Responding to the long-standing demands of students, the administration has formed an election commission for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections. Three teachers have been made election commissioners for the polls.

They are Professor Mohammad Zashim Uddin of the university’s Department of Botany, Professor SM Shameem Reza of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism and Professor Kazi Maruful Islam of the Department of Development Studies.

A statement issued by the university on Monday said despite some temporary stagnation in organising election-related meetings due to recent events, the process of forming the DUCSU Election Commission, which is the seventh step in the announced timeline, is under way as planned.

“Preliminary discussions with seven teachers have already been held. Among them, the names of three have been initially finalised,” the statement read.

Earlier, the university administration began discussions with relevant stakeholders in preparation for the DUCSU election in December 2024. After six meetings at that phase, a revised constitution was finalised. It has already been sent to the student organisations and has now been approved by the latest syndicate.

The statement further mentioned that in January 2025, a “DUCSU Election Code of Conduct Review Committee” was formed which has so far arranged seven meetings.

The draft code of conduct for the elections has also been finalised and approved by the latest syndicate.

To make the election process more effective and acceptable, the administration has also formed an advisory committee consisting of experts.

This committee has held nine consultation meetings with student organisations, hall administrations, journalists and other relevant stakeholders.

The panel has already prepared its final report and submitted it to the university administration.

The statement added, “The Dhaka University administration is committed to holding an inclusive, free, fair and acceptable DUCSU election with the cooperation of all stakeholders and involving all parties.”