United News of Bangladesh

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.  

A festive spirit has swept through Dhaka University as the DUCSU and hall union election campaigns near their climax. Candidates are actively engaging in last-minute outreach through leaflet distribution, interactions and various campaign activities. As part of the final round of electioneering, JCD vice-president (VP) candidate Abidul Islam Khan carried out campaign activities at the Faculty of Fine Arts around 11:30 am. The candidates of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed Abid-Hamim-Mayed panel also held an oath ceremony at Bot Tola on the campus. Meghmallar Basu, General Secretary (GS) candidate from the 'Protirodh Porshad' panel in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election, participated in the final day of campaign despite being physically unwell. The panel's candidates presented their stance at a press conference held at Modhur Canteen. According to the election schedule, Sunday is the last day for campaigning. The elections are scheduled for September 9 and a total of 471 candidates will contest for 28 positions. 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.

On the final day of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) campaigning, candidates turned to legal notices, dollar-themed flyers, bookmarks, playing cards and even Gen-Z pop culture aesthetics in a bid to draw attention. A total of 471 candidates are vying for 28 DUCSU posts. On Saturday, the campus was flooded with campaign materials, some of which students are collecting as souvenirs due to their unique designs rather than for the voting appeal. Legal Notice Tactic Mahadi Hasan Monna, popularly known as `Manobadhikar Munna,’ a candidate for the post of Human Rights and Law Secretary, grabbed attention with legal notices distributed among voters. Targeting `the most beautiful women and handsome men` on campus, Munna’s notice stated: `You are hereby informed that although Dhaka University teaches human rights, structural and institutional conflicts continue to violate students’ rights. Munna seeks to continue the fight for rights as he did in the past.` Munna didn’t stop there—he also distributed butterfly-shaped flyers containing his manifesto, particularly designed to attract female voters. Gen-Z campaign Style Independent member candidate Samsudoha Nawab designed his flyers in the style of the iconic Breaking Bad poster. His leaflet featured the phrase `Let Him Cook on September 9’ along with his ballot number `162` and a QR code at the bottom.

The Election Commission for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) has cancelled the candidacy of Amartya Roy, the vice-president (VP) candidate from the "Sampritir Oikya" panel, ahead of the long-awaited JUCSU elections scheduled for September 11. The decision was announced in a press release signed by Chief Election Commissioner Dr Moniruzzaman on Saturday afternoon. According to the statement, Amartya Roy, a resident of AFM Kamaluddin Hall and a student of the Department of Archaeology from the 2017–18 academic year, was declared ineligible to be a voter and candidate under Sections 4 and 8 of the JUCSU constitution. Chhatra Dal seeks temporary ban on DU Facebook pages ahead of DUCSU polls When contacted, Amartya Roy said, “I cannot make a formal statement yet. Discussions are ongoing within our panel. We are consulting with all concerned and will proceed in a manner that reflects the students' best interests.” He added that he will act in accordance with the University Act and JUCSU Election Commission rules. “I will provide further details once a final decision is made,” he said. In response to a question about whether he would file a writ petition in the High Court, Roy said, “We are not considering that at the moment. However, we will speak with everyone involved and make a decision that benefits all.” Amartya Roy is the immediate past president of the Bangladesh Student Union JU Sangsad and a student of the 47th batch of the Department of Archaeology at JU. Two shot in JP-Gono Adhikar clash at Bijoynagar The upcoming JUCSU election marks the first student union polls at the university in 33 years. The Election Commission has confirmed that seven panels, including independent candidates, will contest the polls.

A day-long Global Studies Olympiad was held on Saturday at the Rangpur Cantt Public School and College auditorium with the participation of around 1,000 students from classes 3 to 10. Students from 17 government and private institutions across Rangpur took part in the event, aiming to build a prosperous and developed Bangladesh through educational competition. The programme was inaugurated at 10 am by Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal. In his speech, DC Rabiul said the initiative would encourage students to seek knowledge and help shape a brighter future for the country. The event was presided over by Ashraful Alam Al Amin, Chairman of Teesta University and advisor to the Global Studies Olympiad. Special guests included poet, essayist, and educationist Monalisa Rahman; senior correspondent of Jamuna Television and Naya Diganta, Sarkar Mazharul Mannan, who is also General Secretary of Rangpur Journalists Union (RPUJ) and Rangpur Reporters Club; founder of Rangpur Musical Brand Association Ajay Nath; and Mizanur Rahman Mizan, founder and headmaster of Shibram Smriti Pre-Cadet School and College. The welcome address was delivered by Muiz Mubarrat, an 11th-grade student at Rangpur Cantt Public School and College and founder of the Global Studies Olympiad, along with Shoaib Haque Shibati, CEO of the Olympiad. The Olympiad began with a one-hour written competition and IQ test, conducted in three categories covering both national and international affairs. The tests were evaluated using OMR sheets. Following the results, 30 students were awarded medals, crests, and a total of Tk 30,000 in prize money across the three categories. Additional Police Commissioner Naresh Chakma said, “We must focus on academic competitions. Initiatives like this should continue to inspire students.”

Seven students of Barishal University (BU) began a hunger strike on campus Thursday night, pressing for the fulfillment of their three-point charter of demands. In a rare gesture of solidarity, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Taufiq Alam spent the night with the protesting students, lying beside them around 1 am Friday to show support and help maintain a peaceful environment. The VC also held discussions with the demonstrators, saying, “We are doing our best to meet the students' reasonable demands. The progress will be made public within the next week.” However, the students declared they would continue their hunger strike until all demands are met. The protest entered a new phase on the 37th day of their ongoing movement, which centers around three key demands: the urgent improvement of the university's infrastructure, expansion of the campus to meet growing academic needs, and resolution of the persistent transportation crisis. The students who started the hunger strike are Sharmila Zaman Senjuti from the English Department, Amiya Mandal from the Mass Communication and Journalism Department (2022–23 session), Tajul Islam from the Accounting and Information Systems Department (2021–22 session), Abubakar Siddique from the Chemistry Department (2022–23 session), Piyal Hasan from the Philosophy Department (2021–22 session), Tamim Ahmed Riaz from the Public Administration Department (2021–22 session), and Shawkat Osman Sakkhar from the Law Department. Shawkat Osman Sakkhar, one of the students on hunger strike, said that although they have been protesting for a long time with reasonable demands, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has not tried to contact them even once. That is why they were forced to start a hunger strike.

Academic classes and examinations at Dhaka University will remain suspended only on September 9 on the occasion of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, said the authorities. Chief Returning Officer of the election Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin said this at a press conference on the campus on Wednesday evening. Earlier, all classes and exams from September 7 to 10 had been suspended for the election. However, following demands from the candidates, the suspension for the other days has been canceled. Normal academic activities will continue on all days except September 9. Prof Jasim said that some students had expressed concern about the number of polling centres and voting time. To reduce inconvenience, the number of booths at each polling centre has been increased. No classes, exams at DU from Sept 7 to 10 for Ducsu polls Voting time has also been extended, allowing eight minutes per voter, said the chief returning officer. Around 40,000 voters are eligible to cast ballots. Polling will continue uninterrupted from 8am to 4pm, ensuring that anyone present within the time frame can cast their vote, he added.

Dhaka University authorities have expelled a student for six months after he allegedly threatened to gang-rape a female student who had filed a writ petition in the High Court regarding the upcoming DUCSU elections. Ali Hossain, a student of the Sociology Department, was expelled following the recommendation of the Proctorial Fact-Finding Committee formed to probe the incident. Teachers demand exemplary punishment in ‘gang rape’ threat to DUCSU petitioner University sources said the penalty was the maximum punishment the proctor could impose under existing regulations. In addition, the complaint against Ali Hossain has been forwarded to the university’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee for further action. DUCSU election: high court drama, student protests, bullying of women key issue Earlier on Tuesday, the university formed two separate committees to investigate the matter -- one by the DUCSU Election Commission and another by the proctorial team. Meanwhile, the University Teachers’ Network (UTN), a forum of university teachers, has demanded exemplary punishment for Ali Hossain. At a press conference in front of Madhur Canteen on Tuesday, UTN members also placed a 13-point demand before the university administration concerning the DUCSU election. DUCSU: At DU, wave of anger at High Court verdict before stay by chamber judge calms nerves

A six-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the recent unrest at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), including the reported confinement of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers inside an auditorium for nearly eight hours and incidents of vandalism. The committee was constituted on Tuesday on the directive of BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. AKM Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, according to an official order signed by Acting Registrar Agriculturist Dr. Helal Uddin. Professor Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and President of the BAU Teachers' Association, has been appointed as the head of the committee. Dr. Md. Manjur Hossain, Deputy Registrar of Establishment Branch-2, will serve as the member secretary. Ongoing deadlock at universities to be resolved soon: Education Adviser Other members of the committee are Prof Dr. Mohammad Golzarul Aziz, Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Prof Dr. Kazi Farhad Qadir, Prof Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman Khan, Department of Agricultural Finance and Banking, Muh. Enamul Haque, Additional Chief Engineer, Public Works Department-1. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings and recommendations as soon as possible. According to the order, the unrest stems from a memorandum submitted on August 7 by students of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Faculty, demanding a combined degree to enhance their job prospects. DUCSU: At DU, wave of anger at High Court verdict before stay by chamber judge calms nerves In response, the Vice Chancellor formed a separate committee on August 12 to address the issue. The recommendations from that committee were presented at an emergency Academic Council meeting on August 31, attended by 251 faculty members. Based on those recommendations, the council unanimously decided to award three degrees, aiming to meet the students’ demands and resolve the issue.