A total of 462 candidates have been primarily declared eligible for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections.
Chief Returning Officer Professor Jasim Uddin shared the information at a press conference held at the university’s Senate building on Thursday night.
Professor Jasim Uddin informed that 47 nomination papers were declared invalid due to various discrepancies including incorrect voter numbers, name mismatches, registration errors, and missing or incorrect signatures. He added that those whose nominations were suspended may appeal to the Election Commission by August 23, 2025.
Appeals submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. The final decision on appeals will be announced after scrutiny on August 24, he added. The chief returning officer also revealed that no female candidates are contesting for three positions, including Student Transport Secretary.
Candidates by Post — 43 candidates (5 female) for Vice President (VP); 18 candidates (1 female) for General Secretary (GS); 24 candidates (4 female) for Assistant General Secretary (AGS); 14 (1 female) for Liberation War and Student Movement Secretary; 10 (1 female) for Science and Technology Secretary; 7 (2 female), Career Development Secretary; 13 (1 female), Social Service Secretary; 8 (3 female) for Human Rights and Law Secretary; 12 (3 female) for Health and Environment Secretary; 9 (no female) for Student Transport Secretary; 12 (1 female) for Sports Secretary; 7 (4 female) for Research and Publication Secretary; 2 male, 9 female for Common Room, Reading Room, Cafeteria Secretary; 15 (1 female), International Secretary;
17 (2 female), Literature Secretary; and for member 191 male, 24 female (total 215) are contesting.
In total, 402 male and 60 female candidates were initially cleared for the election.
Besides, in the hall-level elections, 1,108 candidates have been deemed valid, while one nomination paper has been suspended.
Regarding the guidelines, Professor Jasim Uddin also outlined strict regulations ahead of the elections. From August 21 to September 10, candidates and their supporters are prohibited from engaging in any voluntary service activities, distributing gifts, offering financial help, or organising entertainment programmes on campus. Such acts will be treated as violations of the DUCSU election code of conduct.
In addition, campaign activities within halls and on campus grounds are banned until August 25. Campaigning may officially begin on August 26, 2025. “Any breach of these rules will lead to disciplinary action,” said Professor Jasim Uddin.