File Photo

DHAKA, Sept 7, 2025 (BSS) – Thirteen-day DUCSU election campaign has been ended at 11 pm tonight as thousands of students of the county’s largest academia are waiting to elect their representatives amidst much enthusiasm.

Polling of Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU)- 2025 is schedule to held on Tuesday while the election commission has said all preparations have been completed to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election.

DUCSU election campaign observed diverse tactics and creativity as the candidates came up with new ideas to woo the voters and secured their votes in their favour.

The election commission has imposed all out ban on offering money, food or other kinds of facilities to the voters, many candidates came up with posters and leaflets designed to resemble Bangladeshi banknotes or US dollars in order to attract the attention of the voters.

To drag attention of the voters, candidate for the environment secretary was seen distributing tree-shape handouts and leaflets while ICT affairs secretaries prepared WiFi sign on posters.

The transport secretaries were seen distributing bus shape cards and handouts, a health affairs secretary made heart-shape posters, a carrier development secretary was seen distributing cat-shape leaflet, some designed the leaflets following the shapes of bookmarks, some printed credit-card like leaflets. 

Some distributed legal-notice like posters while seeking votes, others made posters, leaflets and handouts and handheld fans.

The election commission authority officially made the DUCSU campaign more engaging by arranging two-day public debates among the candidates for the vital posts.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, left-leaning parties, Shibir, Students against discrimination (BDSA) and an independent panel are vying in the election. 

All panels organized processions, musical programme and open discussions to present their manifestos before the students.

Asked how the students received them, VP candidate Abdul Kader said, "We are getting an incredible response. We are not going to them to be introduced as they already know us."

"We have done a lot of student-friendly work before and after August 5. Students want a place of trust. Trust is created when words and actions match. We think we were able to do that. The students have trust in us," he added.

Commenting on the students’ engagement in DUCSU election, he noted that students are engaging in the campaign spontaneously and the polls is going to be participatory.

“But I have some observation about the decisions of the election commission which may affect the participation of the students as the polling booths have been set up outside of the residential halls,” he said.

Candidates went door to doors of the voters in halls while they frequently conducted campaign in buses to pursue non-residential students.

Talking to BSS, Tanvir Bari Hamim, general secretary candidate of JCD-backed panel said that students were receiving them warmly and they are very hopeful about the DUCSU election.

“Since the beginning of the campaign, students are responding very positively with us. We are committed to work for the students and built better and safe campus for all our students irrespective of gender, community and religion,” he said.

The JCD-backed panel took an oath today led by its VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan at the historic Bot Tola of the university reiterating their firm commitment to implement the promises given in the manifestoes.       

Al Sadi Bhuiyan, GS candidate from Satantro Sikharthi Oikkyo panel told BSS that he along with his panel getting hopeful responses from the common students who want peaceful and safe campus. 

Voters were also seen eagerly welcoming candidates, asking questions and expressing their hopes and expectations.

Mobashiruzzaman Hasan, a postgraduate student of Islamic Studies department said, “This year’s DUCSU election is going to be the most festive one. I, personally observed that candidates approaching the students with their all creativity.” 

"As I walk from Hall Para to Curzon Hall area, my hands become full with posters and cards. All the cards are unique, creative and different from each other," he added.

Samsul Alam a student from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall said, it feels good when candidates approach them with manifestoes to build a better campus. 

“And obviously DUCSU becomes a channel to connect with people from diverse creativity and ideology with common goals,” he added.

Some panels arranged projection meetings in the female halls and responded to the queries of female candidates about their plan to deal with their problems in future.

DUCSU Chief Returning officer Prof. Jashim Uddin told BSS that almost all the preparations have been finalized. Some booths have already been set and some booths will be set up tomorrow. The ballot boxes will be sent to the polling centres by tomorrow night," he added.

Commenting on the security measures, he said, intelligence agencies are active in the field and supervising the overall situation. Security has been tightened, and election observers have been deployed to oversee the proceedings.

"I think our students themselves will be good enough to tackle any situation with their merit and intellect," he added.

On the election day the campus will be sealed for outsiders. No vehicular movement carrying the outsiders will be allowed inside the campus.