Special Correspondent
After scrutinizing nomination papers, Dhaka University (DU) authority on Wednesday published the primary list of candidates for the Dhaka University Centre Students Union (DUCSU) and hall unions polls slated for March 11.
According to the primary list of candidates published at the university website on Wednesday evening, a total of 20 candidates will vie for vice president post while 12 electoral candidates will contest for general secretary post and 13 candidates will run for assistant general secretary post.
While 11 will vie for liberation war secretary affairs post, 9 each for science and technology affairs secretary and common room and cafeteria affairs secretary posts, 13 for international affairs secretary post, eight for literature affairs secretary post, 12 for cultural affairs secretary post, 11 for sports affairs secretary post, 10 for student transport affairs secretary post, 15 for social welfare secretary post and 88 for member posts in the DUCSU election race.
Some candidates nomination forms of Chhatra League, Chhatra Dal, left leaning student bodies were cancelled after primary scrutiny because of filling nomination papers with false information and not having name in the voter list published earlier on March 20.
Candidates whose name were not accepted as eligible candidates could apply to the concerned authority on Thursday then the final list would be published after further scrutiny on March 3.
Candidates who lost their candidacy after primarily scrutiny are VP post candidate Abdullah Ziyad, general secretary (GS) post candidate Umme Habiba Benazir, member post candidates Ishat Kasfia Ira, Haider Mohammad Zitu, Shafayet Hasnain Sabit, Raiyan Khan as their names were not in the voter list and GS post candidate ARM Asifur Rahman for incomplete information.
Besides, candidacy of DUCSU central member candidate from BCL Nipu Islam Tonny, Salimullah Muslim Hall union polls JCD VP candidate Nahid and indoor sports secretary candidate Kahhar Fahim, Samsunnahr Hall union VP candidate Ziamin Shanta and JCD VP candidate Mansura Hossain were also cancelled.
Meanwhile, Candidates from various panel including Chhatra League, Chhatra Dal and independent candidates started to go to voters for introducing themselves and exchanged views with students although formal election campaign would be started on March 3 after publishing the final list of candidates.
Vice President Candidate from Chhatra League panel Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon was seen talking with students on the university campus area and listening to their demands.
“We are hearing that what kind of university they want and hope we will build a university which every student dreams of,” he said.
On the other hand, JCD vice president candidate Mustafizur Rahman also started view exchange with students. He also was seen exchanging views with students at the campus shadow and library premises.
Mustafiz told journalists, “We are now starting view exchange only with students and talked with them about our aim and dream of university… If a fair election is held then we will win in the election race as students responding to us positively,” he added.
Left leaning alliance candidates also started their campaign on the university campus for getting support from students in election.
Liton Nandi, vice president candidate from the left leaning jote, said, “We are going to the students and raised our demands and plan about students and they are responding to us in a good manner.”
Meanwhile, ARM Asifur Rahman, a student of Mass Communication of Journalism Department of Dhaka University would vie for general secretary (GS) post to the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU).
Rahman had been worked at the Daily Prothom Alo as staff reporter also served Dhaka University Journalists Association (DUJA) for two terms as president.
Asifur Rahman made the announcement at a press conference at the Madhur Canteen of the university at noon. Asif resigned as Prothom Alo staff reporter on March 25.
In written speech Asif said DUCSU polls is going to be held after 28 years, but we are worried about a fair and peaceful polls as last national election set bad example of election.
Asking about fear about fair polls he claimed that DU authority has already taken some decisions in favour of a student organization ignoring demands of others student bodies.
Fear prevails among students that another election like parliament election might be held, he added.