DU suspends classes only on election day

Dhaka University (DU) has reversed its decision yet again regarding class suspensions for upcoming Central Students' Union and Hall Union elections. Academic activities will now halt only on polling day, Tuesday (9 September), rather than previously announced four-day closure.

Professor Dr Jasim Uddin, Chief Returning Officer for DUCSU elections, announced this latest revision during an urgent press briefing Wednesday night. 

The decision marks another u-turn in university's approach to managing the electoral process.

Originally, Acting Registrar Munsi Shams Uddin Ahmed had issued a notification on 30 August declaring all classes and examinations suspended from Sunday 7 September through Wednesday 10 September. This four-day shutdown was intended to facilitate smooth conduct of the democratic exercise.

However, election candidates expressed significant dissatisfaction with the extended academic disruption. Multiple candidates formally lodged written complaints with Election Commission, arguing the prolonged suspension was unnecessary and disruptive to their studies.

Election Commission appears to have responded swiftly to these concerns, resulting in the scaled-back suspension affecting only the actual voting day. This compromise aims to balance electoral requirements with academic continuity.

The repeated policy reversals highlight ongoing tensions between maintaining educational schedules and ensuring proper electoral conditions. 

Students and faculty had expressed confusion over the changing arrangements, with many struggling to adjust their academic planning accordingly.

DUCSU elections represent a significant democratic milestone for Bangladesh's premier university, with thousands of students eligible to participate in selecting their representatives for various union positions.

NRE/SH