Timeline of DCUSU election; 1921-2019

Published : Sunday, 10 March, 2019 at 9:37 PM Count : 9146

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Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) was established in the academic year of 1923-24 as Dhaka University Student Union. Its first constitution was drafted in its general assembly on 30 October 1925.

In 1953, its constitution was amended and the union was renamed Dhaka University Central Students’ Union. The chancellor of the university acts as the president of the Union while other posts are elected from the students’ representatives. A teacher acts as the treasurer.

According to section 20 of the Dhaka University Order 1973, out of 105 senate members, there will be 5 members from DUCSU.

Timeline	Description
1924	DUCSU established, first leader selected Jogendranath Sengupta as GS.
1925	Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed was nominated as first VP.
1953	12 times leaders were elected before 1953. First ever polls were held on 1953 and SA Bari Ati elected as VP, Zulmat Ali Khan General Secretary as well.
Upto 1971	During the government of Pakistani military ruler Ayub Khan, DUCSU elections were held regularly. Elections were not held in 1965 and 1969.
1973	First election after the emergence of Bangladesh. Muzahidul Islam Selim and Mahbub Zaman elected as VP and GS respectively.
1974	The election was arranged in 1973-74, but it was foiled over counting.
1979 to 1990	DUCSU elections were held twice during the rule of Ziaur Rahman (1979-80 and 1980-81). During the rule of Abdus Sattar polls held in 1982. And twice during the rule of Ershad in 1989 and 1990. After the fall of autocratic ruler Ershad, the DUCSU election was not held for 28 years.
1989	DUCSU constitution was introduced.
1990	The last DUCSU election was held during the rule of Hussain Mohammad Ershad on June 6, 1990. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed Aman-Khokon (AmanullahAman) and Khairul Kabir Khokan) panel won the election and they stayed the leaders of the students’ body until its dissolution.
1991	The DUCSU election was supposed to be held on June 18, 1991. Following clashes, late VC Moniruzzaman Miah halted the election. DUCSU constitution amended for the first time.
1994 and 1995	In 1994 and 1995, VC Emajuddin Ahamed declared schedule for DUCSU. The election was not held due to opposition by Chhatra League.
1996	In 1996, VC professor AK Azad Chowdhury declared schedule of DUCSU election. The election could not be held due to anti-government students' organisations, AK Azad claimed.
1998	The committee of DUCSU (1990s’ election) was dissolved in May 28, 1998. The authority declared the election will be held within six months. The constitution was also amended. Paribesh Parishad formed.
2005	VC SMA Faiz declared elections would be held in December. Then Chhatra Dal was in favour of election while Chhatra League opposed it.
2012	Chhatra Adhikar Mancha formed to demonstrate and bring back DUCSU. On March 21, 25 DU students filed writ petition to court which patronized the poll’s future.
2017	On November 25, Walid Ashraf went hunger strike for 14 consecutive day.
2018	On January 17, High Court ordered the authorities to arrange DUCSU polls by six months.
	On September 12, fifteen former DU students filed a contempt petition against DU VC Akhtaruzzaman, proctor AKM GolamRabbani and treasurer Kamal Uddin for violating a High Court order asking them to hold the DUCSU polls.
	On September 16, As part of election preparations, DU authorities sat with the 15 active, campus based student organizations last year which was called “Paribesh Parishad”(Environment Council)” meeting. On that day the VC, at a press briefing, said: “The DUCUS polls might be held by March 2019.”
	On October 31 last year, DU published the database (draft voter list) of hall-based students. Among 38,493 voters, 14,509 voters are female and 23,984 are male
2019	On January 6, the Supreme Court cleared the way for holding the DUCSU polls by annulling its earlier order that stayed a High Court order asking the DU authorities to take necessary steps within the next six months to hold the election.
	On January 10, A five-member committee led by Prof Md Mizanur Rahman, took suggestions from student organization representatives regarding the amendments of the DUCSU constitution and announced the deadline extension till January 14, at a meeting held on January 10.

	On January 17, DU VC appointed Professor SM Mahfuzur Rahman as chief returning officer. The DU authority held a meeting with all 22 Teacher Student Centre (TSC) based socio-cultural organizations of the university to exchange views about the DUCSU polls.
	On January 19, DU VC appointed five returning officers and a seven-member committee formed to draw up a code of conduct for candidates.
	On January 21, DU held the second meeting of the “Paribesh Parishad” where they had discussed about the amendment of the constitution and electoral code of conduct.
	On January 23, the polls schedules have been declared. Polls will take place on March 11.
	29 January announce 30 years age limit of candidates 11 February announce DCUSU schedule for March 11
	Publication of final voter list on Feb 20 Nomination papers distribution from 19 Feb to 25 Last date of nomination submission Feb 26 Publication of Final list of candidates Mar 3 Supplementary voter list published on Mar 5