Ducsu panels begin taking shape

Islami Chhatra Shibir yesterday announced a full panel, while Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and left-leaning Gonotantrik Chhatra Jote declared partial line-ups for the September 9 Ducsu polls.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also collected forms but has yet to declare a line-up.

Former Students Against Discrimination spokesperson Umama Fatema, who collected her nomination papers yesterday, said she will announce her panel today.

Meanwhile, the university authorities extended the deadlines for collecting and submitting nomination forms for Dhaka University Central Students' Union election.

A notice signed by Prof Dr Mohammad Zashim Uddin, chief returning officer, said students showed great enthusiasm, but many could not collect papers within time. "To ensure equal opportunities, the deadlines have been extended to 5:00pm August 19 for collection and 5:00pm August 20 for submission."

Yesterday alone, 442 aspirants picked up forms, bringing the total to 565 candidates for 28 posts since August 12.

Shibir's 28-member panel includes Abu Sadik Kayem for vice-president, SM Farhad for general secretary, and Mohiuddin Khan for assistant general secretary.

Among its picks are an ethnic minority student, students injured in the July uprising, students with disabilities, and activists linked to United People's Bangladesh and Inquilab Mancha.

Fatima Tasnim Juma of Inquilab Mancha will contest for Liberation War and democratic movement secretary, while Khan Jasim, who lost an eye during the uprising, is the candidate for international affairs secretary. Sorbo Mitra Chakma will vie for a member post.

Gonotantrik Chhatra Jote, a coalition of left-leaning groups, announced candidates for the top three posts: former Shamsunnahar Hall VP Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Emi for VP, DU Chhatra Union President Meghmallar Bosu for GS, and Jabir Ahmad Jubel of Biplobi Chhatra Maitree for AGS.

Samajtantrik Chhatra Front President Mozammel Haque has been nominated for Liberation War and democratic movement secretary. The alliance said it will announce its full panel today.

Umama Fatema is expected to lead an independent panel and run for VP. Sources said the GS post remains undecided, with DU Journalists' Association President Mohiuddin Muzahid Mahi, its former president Al Sadi Bhuiyan, and Mohiuddin Roni under consideration.

As the Ducsu polls near, at least 442 aspirants picked up nomination forms yesterday, raising the total to 565 candidates for 28 posts since August 12. The deadline for collection, originally set for yesterday, has been extended until this afternoon. The photo was taken at the Senate Bhaban yesterday. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

After collecting her form, Umama said, "We'll unveil the panel tomorrow [Tuesday] based on competence. We aim to present a student-friendly DUCSU panel."

Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS) confirmed participation under a "Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Sangsad" banner but has not declared names.

Sources said DU BGCS Convener Abdul Kader will run for VP and central convener Abu Baker Mojumder for GS. Debates continue over AGS, with Ashrefa Khatun, Zahid Ahsan, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, and Hasib Al Islam under discussion.

Separately, Jamaluddin Khalid, former Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Andolon leader, and Mahin Sarker, joint member secretary of National Citizen Party, announced an independent panel titled "DU First". Khalid will contest for VP, Sarker for GS, and Fateha Sharmin Anne for AGS.

Hours later, the NCP expelled Mahin for "breaching party discipline". In a notice, Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat said Mahin did not seek permission from the convener or secretary before collecting forms, calling it a "serious breach".

Chhatra Odhikar Parishad declared an 18-member panel, eight from the parishad itself, leaving 10 posts vacant for possible alliances. Its slate includes Bin Yamin Mollah for VP, Sabina Yasmin for GS, and Rakibul Islam for AGS, alongside secretaries for science, social welfare, health, human rights, and career development.

JCD leaders collected forms individually. Central committee Joint General Secretary Maminul Islam Zisan, DU JCD Joint General Secretary BM Kawsar, and Abidul Islam Khan collected forms for VP, while Jasimuddin Hall JCD Convener Tanvir Bari Hamim took one for GS.

Speaking to reporters, Hamim said, "We have over 400 aspirants. We've not finalised our panel yet but will do so by tonight [last night]."

Islami Chhatra Andolon members also collected papers, with candidates including Yasin Arafat (VP), Khairul Ahsan Marzan (GS), and Saif Mohammad Alauddin (AGS).

So far, 1,226 forms have also been collected for hall unions, Prof Zashim said at a briefing. Shahidullah Hall drew the highest with 97, followed by Zahurul Huq Hall (93), Surya Sen Hall (90), Bijoy Ekattor Hall (88), and Amar Ekushey Hall (84). Kuwait Maitree Hall had the lowest with 29.

He said all forms were collected by valid DU students and no one used a party identity. "Any nominee found on a criminal list before polling day may be disqualified."

The final DUCSU voter list shows 39,775 eligible voters -- 20,871 male and 18,902 female.

JCD CONCERNED

 At a press conference in Madhur Canteen last night, DU JCD leaders alleged their activists were obstructed while collecting forms at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall earlier in the day.

Its president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos said, "Despite failures of the administration, we welcomed the polls. We thought past mistakes would be corrected. But the administration failed to control the situation."

He alleged a group tried to attack their female activists and prevented them from collecting forms. "Our activists had to leave without papers as hall security could not control the situation."

The JCD later submitted a complaint to the vice-chancellor, demanding a review of CCTV footage and legal action. Leaders said the incident raised doubts about a level playing field.

In response, BGCS accused JCD of violating the Ducsu code of conduct.

Citing the incident at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Kader alleged candidates collected forms past deadline and faced protests from general students. He said JCD even branded protesting students as a "mob", and accused its leaders of violating rules with processions and slogans.

At a press conference at Payra Chattar near TSC around 11:30pm, Convener Abdul Kader read out a statement regarding the "biased behaviour by the Election Commission favouring a particular group".

"They are still waiting for Tarique Rahman's decision. We fear such pressure could influence the results. But we do not want a repeat of 2019 when the administration bowed to one organisation."

JUCSU NOMINATION

 Jahangirnagar University yesterday began distributing forms for its central students' union and hall elections. On the first day, 46 aspirants collected Jucsu forms and 86 collected hall-level forms, said Election Commission Member-Secretary Prof AKM Rashidul Alam.

Collection and submission were supposed to end by 5:00pm today. However, after JU JCD called for an extension, backed by BGCS, Shibir and Chhatra Union, the administration set new deadlines: collection until 2:00pm and submission until 4:00pm on August 21.

JU JCD Convener Jahir Uddin Babor said his group had not finalised its panel yet. Two factions of Chhatra Union and several cultural groups are also preparing line-ups, while Shibir has already finalised its Jucsu and hall candidates.

The Jucsu and hall elections are scheduled for September 11.

(Our JU correspondent contributed to this report.)