Dhaka, Sep 01 (V7N) – The Supreme Court’s Chamber Division has stayed a High Court order that postponed the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall parliament elections until October 30, clearing the way for the polls to be held on September 9 as per the previously announced schedule.

Earlier in the day, a High Court bench of Justice Habibul Gani and Justice SK Tahsin Ali issued an order staying the DUCSU elections until October 30. The court also sought details on the process by which candidates were nominated, selected, and finalized, as well as preparations for the election.

However, within an hour of the ruling, Dhaka University lawyers filed an appeal with the Chamber Division, which blocked the High Court’s order, effectively allowing the elections to proceed on schedule.

Following the High Court’s initial order, students and candidates took to social media to protest, and some halls reportedly began preparing for marches.

The demand for student union elections gained momentum after the fall of the Awami League government in a mass student-led uprising on August 5, 2024. Several universities, including Dhaka University, subsequently announced schedules for central student union polls.

Meanwhile, the High Court ruling stemmed from a writ petition filed by BM Fahmida Alam, Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary candidate from the Left Alliance panel. She challenged the candidacy of SM Farhad, the General Secretary (GS) candidate of the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel under the United Students’ Alliance. The court directed the University Election Tribunal to investigate the allegations against him.

For the upcoming DUCSU polls, around 10 panels—from Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Democratic Chhatra Sangsad, and left-leaning groups—have fielded candidates. A total of 471 candidates are vying for 28 DUCSU posts, while 1,035 candidates are competing for 13 posts in 18 halls.

Lawyer Shishir Monir represented Dhaka University during the writ hearing, while Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua stood for the petitioner.

END/SMA/AJ