United News of Bangladesh

Voting at Hall No 15 (previously known as  Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall) polling centre resumed around 1:30 pm on Thursday after a two-hour suspension following allegations of vote rigging during Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections. Students said polling at the hall was suspended around 12 pm after Sheikh Sadi Hasan, vice-president (VP) candidate backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), along with 7–8 activists, allegedly stormed the centre and forced female candidates out. JUCSU: Voting suspended at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall Chief Election Commissioner Prof Maniruzzaman said voting was stopped in response to demands from other candidates after they protested against the incident. Balloting for the long-awaited JUCSU elections began at 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 5 pm.

Voting in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JACSU) election is underway peacefully but candidates have expressed concerns over transparency as indelible ink is not being used in most halls. Many voters said that despite repeated complaints polling officials did not arrange the use of ink to mark voters’ fingers which is commonly used to prevent multiple voting. Kamrul Hasan, a candidate for the executive member post of a hall committee, said, “Many are mistakenly voting for only one instead of three on the ballot paper as no proper instructions were given. There is no ink, no voter photos, and no monitoring from the administration. We cannot tell who has voted and who hasn’t. I am also worried about security measures.” Saron Ahsan, general secretary candidate from  “Shompiritir Oikko” panel supported by Bangladesh Chhatra Union, alleged irregularities from the beginning. JUCSU: Voting suspended at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall “In many halls including Hall 21 and Nazrul Hall, indelible ink is not being used. Polling agents are not allowed to identify voters or match them with the lists. In Nazrul Hall, our agent was barred from entering and told to ‘trust the authorities’,” he said. Responding to the allegations, Returning Officer Prof Mir Ferdous said, “We have not received any instructions or materials from the Election Commission. That’s why we cannot arrange for the use of ink.” Polling officer Ebadullah Khan added, “We have no ink, but we are taking signatures in three places. No further instructions have been given to us.” Chief Election Commissioner Prof Moniruzzaman said they gave instructions and also sent instruments to many halls. “I just came to know about the ink issue, and I will speak with the returning officers for details.”

Hafizur Rahman Sohan, vice-president of the central unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was detained from Rabindranath Tagore Hall of Jahangirnagar University (JU) during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections on Thursday. Professor Shafiqul Islam, provost of the hall, said students caught Sohan, a member of the university’s 36th batch, from a room around 11 am and handed him over to the proctorial body. Asked about his unauthorised stay in the residential hall, Sohan said, “I came to the campus at night. I wasn’t feeling well, so I was taking rest at the hall.” In reply to a query on whether he had sought permission, he admitted, “No, I didn’t take any permission.” JUCSU voting in progress amid festive spirit Prof Shafiqul said former students are not allowed to stay in residential halls during an election period as per the code of conduct. “That’s why we handed him over to the proctorial team,” he added. JU Proctor Prof Dr AKM Rashidul Alam said, “We sent security guards to bring him in. Action will be taken against him as per rules.” Voting for the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union elections is underway in a festive and peaceful atmosphere on Thursday.

Voting for the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections is underway in a festive and peaceful atmosphere on Thursday. Balloting began at 9am and will continue until 5pm. The polls mark the first JUCSU elections in 33 years, a milestone development for campus politics and student representation at the university. 33-year wait for JUCSU ends Thursday According to university sources, 11,919 students are eligible to vote, while 178 candidates are vying for 25 JUCSU posts. To ensure smooth proceedings, around 1,200 police personnel have been deployed across the campus.  

A delegation from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is in the Netherlands on a visit in an effort to boost experience on textile waste recycling. The visit, organised in collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Dutch Embassy in Dhaka, seeks to bridge technological gaps and foster partnerships to transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile economy. Bangladesh's apparel industry, the world's second-largest, generates an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 tons of textile waste annually, according to a press release. While this "jhut" has a high potential for recycling—especially the cotton-based portion—the country currently recycles only a small fraction, with most of the waste either exported or disposed of in landfills and waterways. This lack of a formal recycling infrastructure has created environmental and social issues, including an unregulated, informal labor market with poor working conditions. The BGMEA team's visit is seen as a pivotal step for Bangladesh to align with global sustainability requirements and the growing demand for recycled content from international buyers. BGMEA seeks easier customs bond services to boost RMG competitiveness The European Union, for instance, has introduced regulations that will require suppliers to use more recycled materials by 2030. By actively seeking out Dutch expertise and technology, Bangladesh's industry aims to enhance its recycling capacity, reduce its reliance on raw cotton imports, and secure its long-term competitiveness in a greener global market. This effort reflects the BGMEA's Sustainability Vision 2030, which prioritizes circularity and emission reduction. The mission is a proactive response to the industry's need for a formal, scalable textile recycling ecosystem, which could not only mitigate environmental impact but also unlock a significant new revenue stream and create a more transparent and equitable supply chain.

For the very first time in the history of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed ‘Oikyoboddho Shikkharthi Jote’ (United Students’ Alliance), has won the polls securing a record number of posts. Out of total 28 posts in DUCSU, the panel secured 23. On the other hand, the panels of Chhatra Dal and Ganatantrik Chhatrasangsad did not secure even a single post. Shibir-backed VP candidate Shadik Kayem was elected VP securing 14,042 votes while his nearest rival Chhatra Dal’s Abidul Islam Khan got 5,708 votes. In the General Secretary post, Shibir candidate S M Farhad was elected with 10,794 vote while his closest rival Tanvir Bari Hamim of Chhatra Dal got 5,283 votes; Abu Bakar Majumdar of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” got 2,131 votes; Meghmallar Basu of the Left Alliance-supported panel “Protirodh Parishad” got 4,949 votes; and independent candidate Arafat Chowdhury got 4,044 votes. DUCSU: Shadik enjoys commanding lead in race for VP as Shibir set to sweep top three posts In the Assistant General Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Md. Mohiuddin Khan was elected with 11,772 votes while his nearest rival Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed of Chhatra Dal, got 5,064 votes; Ashrefa Khatun of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” secured 900 votes; independent candidate Tahmid Al Mudassir bagged 3,008 votes and Jabir Ahmed Jubel of “Protirodh Parishad” got 1,511 votes. In the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Fatema Tasnim Jhuma won with 10,631 votes, Ariful Islam from the Chhatra Dal panel received 2,470 votes, Numan Ahmed Chowdhury from “Independent Students’ Unity” got 1,776 votes; Mojammel Haque of “Protirodh Porshad” got 1,336 votes and B. M. Fahmida Alam from “Aparajeyo 71 Odommo 24” panel got 1,057 votes. In Social Services Secretary post Independent candidate A. B. Zubair was elected with 7,608 votes as Social Services Secretary of DUCSU. Mohir Alam of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” got 2,099 votes; and Syed Imam Hasan Anik from the Chhatra Dal panel received 3,903 votes.

Dhaka University authorities have announced that all classes and examinations scheduled for Wednesday (Sept 10, 2025) will remain suspended. The information was confirmed in a notice signed by Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Acting Director of the Public Relations Office of the university. The suspension follows Tuesday’s Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, which was marred by allegations of vote rigging and triggered protests by student groups on campus.

The long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election will be held tomorrow Tuesday, six years after the last, that itself was held after a gap of 28 years. Branded as the “second parliament” of Bangladesh, the DUCSU election is returning amid much anticipation and speculation. Over the past 13 days, candidates ran vibrant campaigns in a festive atmosphere, employing creative methods to win over voters. Most students have also finalized their choices for the 41 positions at stake—28 in DUCSU and 13 in each of the 18 hall unions (students vote for the hall they belong to). Ballots and Candidates According to the schedule, voting will take place from 8am to 4pm. A total of 471 candidates are contesting the 28 DUCSU positions, while 1,035 students are vying for 234 hall union posts. This year’s ballots will be larger than before—five pages for DUCSU and a single page for hall unions. Voting will be conducted through Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets, with each voter allotted eight minutes to cast their ballot. Polling Centers The election will be conducted across eight centers on campus, with 810 polling booths set up: 1. Curzon Hall Center: Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall (5,077 votes). 2. Physical Education Center: Jagannath Hall, Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, Salimullah Muslim Hall (4,853 votes). 3. TSC Center: Rokeya Hall (5,665 votes). 4. DU Club Center: Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall (4,755 votes). 5. Senate Building Center: Sir AF Rahman Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Bijoy Ekattor Hall (4,830 votes). 6. Udayan School & College: Surja Sen Hall, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Poet Jasim Uddin Hall (6,155 votes). 7. Geology Department Center: Poet Sufia Kamal Hall (4,443 votes). 8. ULAB School & College: Shamsun Nahar Hall (4,096 votes). Shuttle Bus Service To ensure smooth voting, Dhaka University authorities will operate special shuttle bus services from 7:45 am to 3:50 pm on polling day. The circular route will cover the Geology Department, Curzon Hall, Shahbagh, TSC, Udayan School, DU Teachers’ Club, ULAB School, Senate Building, and Physical Education Center before returning to the Geology Department. Voting Process Voters can cast their ballots at their designated centers at a convenient time. Identity verification will be mandatory: First-year students must show library cards or pay-in slips. Other students may use DU ID cards, hall cards, or library cards. Once verified, polling officials will mark voters’ fingers with indelible ink, and they must sign the voter list before receiving a ballot. Voters will then enter secret booths—without mobile phones or electronic devices—mark their chosen candidates with a cross (X) inside the designated box, and place the ballot into separate boxes for DUCSU and hall elections. Ballots must not be folded. For the first time, 30 visually impaired students will vote through the Braille method. Returning Officer and Associate Professor Sharmin Kabir of the Institute of Education and Research will oversee the process. Transparency in Counting To ensure transparency, the university authority announced that vote counting will be broadcast live on LED screens outside polling centers. Voters and Contestants The final voter list includes 39,775 students—20,873 male and 18,902 female. For DUCSU: Vice-President (VP): 45 candidates General Secretary (GS): 19 candidates Assistant General Secretary (AGS): 25 candidates Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary: 17 candidates Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary: 11 candidates International Affairs Secretary: 14 candidates Literary and Cultural Secretary: 19 candidates Science and Technology Secretary: 12 candidates Research and Publication Secretary: 9 candidates Sports Secretary: 13 candidates Student Transport Secretary: 12 candidates Social Welfare Secretary: 17 candidates Health and Environment Secretary: 15 candidates Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary: 11 candidates Career Development Secretary: 15 candidates Members (13 posts): 217 candidates For hall unions, 1,035 candidates are competing for 234 positions. The last DUCSU election was held on March 11, 2019, after a 28-year hiatus. In that election, Nurul Haque Nur was elected VP, Golam Rabbani GS, and Saddam Hossain AGS. Unlike 2019, when there were 25 DUCSU posts, this year’s polls include 28 positions, with the addition of four new posts—Research and Publication Secretary, Career Development Secretary, Health and Environment Secretary, and Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary—following demands from student bodies.

In a bid to ensure transparency and build student confidence, the vote count for the DUCSU and Hall Parliament elections will be broadcast live on LED screens installed outside each polling station. Professor Dr Mohammad Zashim Uddin, Chief Returning Officer of the DUCSU election, confirmed the move in a statement Sunday night, highlighting efforts to make the electoral process more open and credible. "To inform voters, the Election Commission has announced that bags, mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, water bottles, or any liquid substances will not be allowed inside polling centers," he said. In addition, the University of Dhaka will operate a special shuttle service on election day to facilitate student voters' movement across campus. The special shuttle will run in a circular route from 7:45 am to 3:50 pm on September 9, covering major campus points including the Geology Department, Curzon Hall, Shahbagh, TSC, Udayan School, Teachers' Club, ULAB School and College, Senate Building, and Physical Education Center. Meanwhile, campaign activities officially concluded at 11:00 pm on Sunday, marking the end of a spirited final day of electioneering. Candidates actively engaged in leaflet distribution, face-to-face interactions, and various outreach initiatives across the campus. A total of 471 candidates will contest for 28 positions in this year’s Ducsu election. Among them, 48 candidates are vying for the post of Vice President (VP), 19 for General Secretary (GS), and 25 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the post of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, there are 17 candidates. For Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary, 11 candidates are contesting, while 14 are running for International Affairs Secretary. Besides, 19 candidates are contesting for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 12 for Science and Technology Secretary, 9 for Research and Publication Secretary, 13 for Sports Secretary and 12 for Student Transport Secretary. For the post of Social Service Secretary, there are 17 candidates; Health and Environment Secretary, 15; Human Rights and Law Secretary, 11; and Career Development Secretary, 15. This time, for the member posts, a total of 217 candidates will compete. Around 40,000 voters are eligible to cast ballots.

In preparation for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections, the university authorities will operate a special shuttle service to facilitate student voters on election day. According to a press release issued by the university's Public Relations Office on Sunday, the shuttle service will operate in a circular route across key points on campus from 7:45 am to 3:50 pm on September 9. The designated route begins at the Department of Geology, and will proceed via Curzon Hall, Shahbagh, Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), Udayan Higher Secondary School, Dhaka University Teachers' Club, ULAB School and College, Senate Building, and the Physical Education Center, before returning to the Geology Department. The DUCSU and Hall Parliament elections are scheduled to be held on Monday, September 9, with voting taking place from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The shuttle initiative is aimed at ensuring smooth and convenient transportation for students across campus on election day, allowing them to reach polling centers efficiently. Meanwhile, candidates are actively engaged in electioneering, making the most of the final hours before the campaign period ends tonight. They are conducting last-minute outreach through leaflet distribution, face-to-face interactions, and various other campaign activities across campus. A total of 471 candidates will contest for 28 positions in this year’s Ducsu election. Among them, 48 candidates are vying for the post of Vice President (VP), 19 for General Secretary (GS), and 25 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the post of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, there are 17 candidates. For Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary, 11 candidates are contesting, while 14 are running for International Affairs Secretary. Besides, 19 candidates are contesting for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 12 for Science and Technology Secretary, 9 for Research and Publication Secretary, 13 for Sports Secretary and 12 for Student Transport Secretary. For the post of Social Service Secretary, there are 17 candidates; Health and Environment Secretary, 15; Human Rights and Law Secretary, 11; and Career Development Secretary, 15. This time, for the member posts, a total of 217 candidates will compete. Around 40,000 voters are eligible to cast ballots.