Ensure exemplary DUCSU election

After decades of wait, in the run-up to the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election, contention has cropped up regarding the existing charter. As we reported in this daily yesterday, various student organisations are divided over some issues, which include the scope of power of the Ducsu president and the age limit for the contestants, among others.

It is our view that the election should be held under the existing charter. The prime purpose of Ducsu is to be the voice for the welfare of students and that voice has been non-existent since 1998. The charter's stipulation on who can contest the election should be kept as it is. The demand that non-regular students—that is, students not enrolled in the bachelor's or master's degree courses—be allowed to participate does not hold ground. We feel that only regular students should be eligible for contesting the election. 

The issue of the location of the polling centres is also important. It is important for the establishment of democratic practices in our universities that bodies such as Ducsu are elected in an open, fair and transparent manner. So, the nature of the election, scheduled for March 11, will be of prime importance. It is for the DU authorities to ensure that every eligible student can cast their vote whichever way they wish to, and no political party can exert influence on the election. Polling centres should be accessible to journalists, and above all, no party, particularly the ruling party, should take this election as a matter of prestige. We hope the DU authorities will ensure that the process is free, fair and without any unwarranted incidents.