Emerging shifts in the political landscape among students
The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) elections, set to take place on 9 September, mark a significant milestone as it will be the first Ducsu election in 35 years. This year's polls come after the July uprising, which reshaped Bangladesh's political climate and intensified calls for student representation.
One of the most noticeable changes in this year's election is the increased participation of women. In contrast to the 1990 Ducsu election, where women constituted a mere 13% of the candidates contesting central posts and 17% for hall union posts, the 2025 Ducsu election sees 60 women vying for central posts (13%) and 188 for hall union posts (17%). The voter base has also grown, with women now constituting 47.55% (18,959 students) of the electorate.
The rise in female candidacy is not solely due to loyalty to panels but rather a reflection of disillusionment with partisan politics, as noted by Professor Sabbir Ahmed from the Department of Political Science, University of Dhaka. This shift is evident in the decreased number of panels participating in the 2025 Ducsu election, with only 10 registered panels compared to the nearly 30 panels and seven to eight major groups in the 1990 election.
This fragmentation of traditional panel politics is also reflected in the growing number of independent candidates vying for major positions. Fateha Sharmin Anne, AGS candidate of the Samonnito Shikkharti Songshad, urges women to step forward in proper, transparent politics, emphasizing that it is time for women to claim their rightful place based on merit.
The 2025 Ducsu election also sees a decrease in the number of candidates compared to previous elections. While the 1990 Ducsu election had 489 candidates for 20 central posts, the 2025 Ducsu election has 462 candidates for 28 central posts. The number of candidates for hall union posts has also decreased, from 1,040 in the 1990 election to 1,108 in the 2025 election.
The 1990 Ducsu election was dominated by Chhatra Dal, which achieved a landslide victory, winning 151 of 188 seats (80%), including all central posts and nine dormitories. However, the 2019 Ducsu election was widely seen as controversial, with a sweeping victory for the now-banned Chhatra League, except for a few posts. The parties and independents running for the DUCSU elections 2025 include various student political groups and independent candidates, but specific names and affiliations have not been publicly detailed yet.
As the Ducsu elections approach, the university community eagerly awaits the results, hoping for a fair and transparent election that truly represents the student body. The increasing participation of women and the fragmentation of panel politics are signs of a new era in Dhaka University politics, one that promises to be more inclusive and representative.
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