Home
+
Published : 02 Sep 2025, 02:11 AM
As voter rolls swell and competition tightens, female students are emerging as the potential game-changers in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.
With the election approaching, these voters are not only enthusiastic but also vocal about their expectations.
They are raising their voices on issues related to residential halls, academics, and campus environment.
Among female residential students, core concerns include the shortage of seats in halls, poor quality of canteen food, the practice of double rooming, lack of cleanliness, and campus safety.
Non-residential students, meanwhile, emphasise increasing the number of campus buses and creating more opportunities for involvement in hall-centric activities.
After a hiatus of more than six years, Dhaka University is gearing up to hold DUCSU and hall union elections on Sept 9.
This year, the electorate includes 39,874 students, among whom 18,959 are women.
In comparison, the 2019 election had 43,255 voters with 16,312 female participants.
Today, female students are stepping into the race like never before -- out of 471 contenders vying for 28 DUCSU positions, women are contesting 62 slots, including key posts such as vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), assistant general secretary (AGS), and numerous editorial roles.
Hall unions also hold elections for 13 posts, including VP and GS, across five female and 13 male halls.
Back in 2019, just 28 women ran for five prominent positions out of 229 candidates -- a ratio of roughly one female candidate per 586 students.
This year, it has improved significantly to one candidate per 306 female students.
In this cycle’s hall union arena, 185 students contend for 13 seats across the five women’s halls.
VOICES FROM HALLS
Mim Akter, a public administration student at Rokeya Hall, demands: “Our hall urgently needs refrigerators and better canteen food quality. The double occupancy system must be ended.”
She expressed a clear preference for candidates without political backing. “I want independent candidates to step up since they’re not politically affiliated. But some are hiding their political identity while campaigning. I will not vote for them.”
Israt Jahan Sabrina, from the Department of Japanese Studies, shared that she is still evaluating candidates.
“I’m reading through all the manifestos,” she said. “I’ll vote for the one who seems genuinely committed to our needs -- whether from a political party or independent. Not party ideals, but student concerns should matter most.”
At Rokeya Hall, Samia Rahman from the finance department pointed to accommodation as a “persistent struggle”.
“The housing problem won’t be resolved unless more bunk beds are introduced. Sharing beds is extremely difficult,” she said.
She also emphasised the need for better oversight in hall entry rules and hygiene. “We should be able to enter the hall freely until midnight without harassment. Seat management and cleanliness must be monitored regularly.
“Still, it’s hard to trust promises -- many change once they gain power.”
Suraiya Fatema, a student from the 2019–20 session at Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, raised concerns about safety and food. “Seats are the biggest issue. We want verified information about the actual condition of the Sikder Monowara building, which has been declared risky.
“The second concern is food. Living in a hall shouldn’t mean settling for low-quality meals. Daily food should meet basic nutritional needs.”
Reflecting on accountability, she said: “Candidates shouldn’t make promises just to get elected. The conditions in my hall are no different from theirs. At the very least, they should work sincerely, recognising that shared reality.”
Arjita Sutradhar from Sufia Kamal Hall called for institutional regularity. “The culture of staying in office for years without elections must stop. Annual elections would strengthen accountability.”
From Shamsun Nahar Hall, history student Fatema Tuz Johra underscored the kind of leadership students expect. “We want honest, capable, and student-centred candidates. Right now, the biggest problems are poor food, insufficient seating, and administrative delays.
“Elected representatives must address these issues meaningfully.”
Bushra Jahan, from the Institute of Education and Research, prioritised safety and fairness. “We need a safe, smoke-free campus with no presence of homeless individuals. One bed per person, improved canteen food, and expanded hall stores are essential. Student interests -- not party ones -- must come first.”
Two students from Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall echoed similar demands.
One noted, “There’s a severe seat shortage in our hall. A permanent solution is overdue.”
The other pointed to safety at night. “Food quality in the canteen remains a constant issue. We also want assurance of hassle-free entry to the hall at night.”
NON-RESIDENT PRIORITIES
As a non-residential student, Israt Jahan Sabrin said she expects a fair environment in classes and exams, transparency in publishing results, and improvements in digital facilities.
She added: “We need more buses on campus, safe transport, extended library hours, and affordable canteens. Harassment and violence must end, ensuring a safe environment.
“Cultural, sports, and academic clubs should be open equally to all. Hall unions should allocate seats transparently on merit, without political identity.”
Israt said hall facilities like dining, libraries, and sports should be partially open to non-residents. “Our expectation from candidates is that they do not create a climate of terror or violence in the name of politics. They should work on real student problems such as tuition fees, transport, libraries, and health services.
“Equal safety and opportunities must be ensured for both male and female students, with cultural and sporting activities encouraged across campus,” she added.
[Writing in English by Sheikh Fariha Bristy]
