Despite playing a crucial role in the July Uprising as frontline fighters, women have unexpectedly fallen behind in political participation in the post-government change landscape. This trend is visible in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU) elections, where the number of female candidates is significantly low.
According to the preliminary list for the DUCSU elections, the number of female candidates is notably small. Of the 462 valid candidates for 28 positions in the central student union, only 60 are female, making up less than 13% of the total candidates.
A total of 509 candidates submitted nomination papers to participate in the election. However, 47 of them were rejected in the preliminary screening for various errors, according to the DUCSU’s Chief Returning Officer.
An analysis based on the positions reveals a clear gender imbalance in the central union elections. For the position of Vice President (VP), only 5 out of 48 candidates are female. Similarly, in the General Secretary (GS) race, out of 19 candidates, only 1 is female. The Assistant General Secretary post, with 28 candidates, has 4 female candidates.
Moreover, for positions like the Social Service Secretary, 13 candidates are contesting, with no female candidates. In the Student Transport Secretary race, 9 candidates are in the running, and again, no women are contesting. However, in less high-risk positions like the Reading Room and Cafeteria Secretary, 9 out of 11 candidates are women.
The positions of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, Science and Technology Secretary, Career Development Secretary, Human Rights and Law Secretary, Health and Environment Secretary, Sports Secretary, Research and Publication Secretary, and Literature and Culture Secretary will see varying numbers of candidates, with no female representation in several categories. Additionally, 215 members will be contesting for general member positions.
Candidates have the opportunity to appeal against any disqualifications by the Election Commission, which will verify the appeals until August 23. After verification on August 24, final decisions will be announced. According to the election schedule, the last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 25.
The DUCSU election is scheduled for September 9 and will take place outside the residential halls for the first time. The election schedule was announced on July 29, with the last DUCSU election held in 2019.