Social Media in DU Democracy: Diverse Dash for DUCSU Dominance
Eight panels have officially announced their participation in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Union Elections 2025. These include the Democratic Students’ Union’s ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Council,’ Chhatra Shibir’s ‘United Student Alliance,’ the ‘Independent Unity Bloc’ led by Umama Fatema, leftist students’ ‘Resistance Council,’ Chhatra Adhikar Parishad’s ‘Daksu for Change,’ Islami Chhatra Andolan’s ‘Conscious Student Council,’ and former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Mahin’s independent panel, ‘DU First.’
This year, beyond the traditional positions of Vice President, General Secretary, and Assistant General Secretary, attention has turned to the posts of Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary. These roles reflect student opposition to the prevailing “guestroom culture” in halls, which is often criticized for fostering harassment and cliquish politics. Female candidates have particularly featured in these positions. However, among ordinary voters, career-focused leadership is gaining more traction, overshadowing even major posts. Accordingly, in the post-July mass-upsurge DUCSU election, the Science & Technology Secretary and Career Development Secretary positions are considered the most influential among the 13 executive roles.
In the ‘Inclusive Full Panel’ announced first, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir nominated Iqbal Haider for Science & Technology Secretary and Mazharul Islam for Career Development Secretary, with Umme Salma running for Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary.
In the Nationalist Chhatra Dal panel, Ehsanul Islam was nominated for Science & Technology Secretary, Md. Arkanul Islam Rupok for Career Development Secretary, and Chemon Faria Islam Meghla for the common room-related post.
From the ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Council’ panel, Ahad Bin Islam Shoaib and Rezwan Ahmed Rifat are running for Science & Technology Secretary and Career Development Secretary respectively, with Mitu Akter nominated for Common Room and Cafeteria Secretary.
The leftist coalition, ‘Resistance Council’ panel, nominated Fatin Ishrak for Science & Technology Secretary, Liton Tripura for Career Development Secretary, and Nuzia Hasin (Rasha) for Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary.
Although ‘Daksu for Change’ announced Md. Shakil Khan for Science & Technology Secretary under the slogan ‘Vote for Change,’ they did not nominate candidates for Career or Common Room-related posts. Similarly, the ‘Coordinated Student Council’ panel nominated Abdullah Ibne Hanif Arian for Science & Technology Secretary and Farzana Akter Mitu for Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary, leaving Career Development unrepresented.
The three leftist student organizations—Chhatra Union (Mahir-Bahauddin), Socialist Chhatra Front (BASAD), and Chhatra League-BCL (Bangladesh JASAD)—formed a joint panel named ‘Aparajeyo 71–Adomyo 24.’ Surmi Chakma is their nominee for Reading Room and Cafeteria Secretary, while Science & Technology and Career Development Secretary positions remain vacant.
Neither the ‘Independent Unity Bloc’ led by Umama Fatema nor the Islami Chhatra Andolan panel nominated candidates for the two major posts.
Students from the Organization Strategy and Leadership Department, such as Shahriar Hossain Shishir, believe that apart from the major three posts, Science & Technology and Career Development Secretary positions are most important in a competitive Fourth Industrial Revolution era. Similarly, Sabbir Hossain from the Life Sciences Department emphasized that these positions are crucial for shaping future human resources. Taslima Akter Bithi from the International Business Department noted that meeting the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution requires strong Science & Technology leadership.
Reviewing the panels, it is evident that all sought to appear “inclusive,” ensuring participation from minority groups and women. However, inclusivity was less apparent in the emphasis on Science & Technology and Career Development.
Although campaigning has not officially begun, various hall-based Facebook groups are active, with candidates sharing their plans and visions. DUCSU and DUCSU-02 groups host 67,000 and 49,000 students respectively, facilitating direct engagement. Candidates are using hashtags, posters, and personal images to attract votes, making online campaigning a significant factor.
Nomination papers for the DUCSU election closed on Wednesday, August 20. At a briefing, Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin reported that 509 nominations were submitted for 28 central council posts, although 658 had been collected, leaving 149 unsubmitted.
For the 234 posts across 18 hall unions, 1,427 nomination papers were sold, with 1,109 submitted and 318 remaining unsubmitted.
The elections are scheduled for September 9. This year, DUCSU comprises 28 positions, up from 25 in 2019. Each hall union election will contest 13 posts. DU currently has 18 halls, with voting at eight external centers. The final voter list includes 39,775 students, with 20,873 male and 18,902 female voters.
