The election to the Gono Bishwabidyalay Central Student Union election (GBCSU) is underway after a gap of seven years on the campus at Savar in Dhaka.
Voting began at 9:00 AM on Wednesday and will continue until 3:00 PM.
This year, 63 candidates are contesting 21 posts, including 9 for vice president and 4 for general secretary, with 4,761 students eligible to vote. Voting is taking place across 19 campus polling centers, each with three separate booths. Students are sealing their ballots before depositing them into ballot boxes.
Students queued in an orderly, festive atmosphere to exercise their democratic rights. Entry to the campus and polling booths is strictly controlled: students must show ID cards, and items such as mobile phones, bags, pens, and tissues are prohibited inside the booths.
Students expressed excitement over participating in the election. Samia, an English department student, said, “I am voting for the first time. It feels great, and we will elect honest and capable candidates who can contribute to the university’s development.”
Vice president candidate Sheikh Khodarnur Islam Roni said the election is proceeding smoothly, expressing confidence in victory and promising to work for the students if elected. General secretary candidate Md. Antu Dewan also expressed optimism, pledging to hold monthly meetings with students to address their concerns.
Chief Election Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Alam, head of the Law department of the university, said over 400 law enforcement personnel are deployed to ensure security and law and order. Voting has proceeded peacefully, and complaints will be addressed immediately.
Vice-Chancellor Profesoor Dr. Mohammad Abul Hossain said that the nine-member election committee is closely monitoring the process, alongside executive magistrates and other agencies. The results are expected to be announced shortly after voting concludes.
The election, organised after seven years, aims to ensure that students can exercise their democratic rights freely. Security measures, ID verification, and CCTV monitoring have been implemented to maintain transparency and fairness.
OF/HKJ
