The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have announced a set of new measures for the long-awaited central students’ union (DUCSU) and hall union elections scheduled for 9 September.
According to a notification signed by Chief Returning Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin on Saturday, the polls will be conducted at eight centres as per the previous plan, but the number of polling booths has been increased from 500 to 710.
Voting will take place from 8am to 4pm, with students allowed to cast ballots while standing in line during polling hours.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will handle election security. Returning officials said patrol teams and other security units are already active. From seven days prior to the election, no outsiders will be allowed to stay in residential halls, and regular patrols will enforce the restriction.
On 8 and 9 September, DU’s Metrorail station will remain closed, while the entire campus will be sealed off. Only valid students, accredited journalists, and individuals directly involved in election duties will be permitted entry.
Campaigning will continue until 11pm on 7 September. However, candidates are prohibited from holding social, financial, or religious events, as well as from offering any form of gifts, hospitality, or monetary assistance.
The university administration has also written to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) seeking temporary closure of several online pages, including Dhaka University Nirapotta Moncho, Dhaka University Shikkharthi Sangsad-1, and Dhaka University Shikkharthi Sangsad-2, until 10 September.
In addition, all activities of Green Future Foundation, including shuttle services on campus, have been suspended until 10 September on grounds that they could influence the polls.
Earlier, another DU circular signed by DU Acting Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed declared that all classes and examinations will remain suspended from 7 to 10 September for the election.
This will be the 18th DUCSU election. A total of 471 candidates are contesting 28 posts in the central body, while 1,035 candidates will vie for 13 posts across 18 residential halls, including five female halls.
