Ducsu polls: Campaigns kick off with tributes, allegations, and promises
The formal campaign for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election began today, with major panels and independent candidates launching activities through rallies, tributes, and student outreach across the campus.
The BNP-backed panel opened its campaign at 3:30pm, paying tribute to the martyrs of 1971 at the "Smriti Chironton" memorial near the vice-chancellor's residence.
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Earlier in the day, the left-leaning Protirodh Porshod began its campaign at the Central Shaheed Minar by placing wreaths in memory of the martyrs. The panel -- led by VP candidate Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Emi, GS candidate Meghmallar Bosu, and AGS candidate Md Jabir Ahmed Jubel -- made its commitment to upholding the spirit of the Liberation War.
Mozammel Haque, convener of the panel's Liberation War and Democratic Movement cell, said, "Today is Phulbari Uprising Day, so we offered flowers in remembrance. Later, we moved to the Social Sciences faculty premises, and in the afternoon, we will be at VC Chattar and Rokeya Hall. The response from students has been quite positive."
The independent panel Shikkharthi Oikko also launched its campaign by placing wreaths at the Jagannath Hall memorial. VP candidate Umama Fatema, GS candidate Al Sadi Bhuiya, and other members were present.
Umama Fatema stressed the importance of holding Ducsu elections regularly and fairly. "Ducsu should be held regularly and in a modest manner, and it is the administration's responsibility to ensure that. Our campaign will not disrupt the daily activities of students."
She alleged that many candidates had already been engaged in "unofficial campaigning" for the past two weeks without any action from the university authorities.
Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Oikkoboddho Shikkharthi Jote began campaigning from the central library premises. Its VP candidate Shadik Kayem claimed their campaign board had been vandalised on the very first day.
In a Facebook post, Kayem wrote, "This reflects a special form of hostility toward female candidates. We demand immediate punitive action against those involved."
The Ganotantrik Chhatra Sangsad began its campaign from the hall areas at 4:30pm, adopting a more direct, person-to-person outreach strategy.
Alongside these panels, several independent candidates also hit the campaign trail, setting the stage for a competitive election across Dhaka University.
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