Dhaka, Sep 03 (V7N) – The Appellate Division has stayed the High Court’s order postponing the elections to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall parliaments until October 30, clearing the way for voting as scheduled on September 9.

The order was issued on Wednesday following a hearing of an appeal by a full seven-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed. With this decision, there are no remaining legal obstacles to the DUCSU elections.

The High Court had previously postponed the elections after BM Fahmida Alam, secretary of the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Committee of the left-wing ‘Invincible 71’ and ‘Indomitable 24’ panels, filed a writ petition challenging the candidacy of GS candidate and Shibir leader SM Farhad. Dhaka University authorities immediately appealed the High Court’s order, and the Chamber Court issued a stay within an hour.

Chamber Justice Farah Mahbub had directed that the case be heard by the regular bench of the Appellate Division, with the Chamber Court’s stay remaining in effect until the hearing. Lawyers have confirmed that SM Farhad’s candidacy remains valid as a result of the Appellate Division’s ruling. Dhaka University lawyer Shishir Monir clarified that the cancellation of any candidate’s nomination is based on specific allegations, not merely party affiliation.

For this year’s elections, around 10 panels, including full and partial ones, have been nominated by Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Democratic Student Parliament, and leftist student organizations. A total of 471 candidates are contesting 28 central DUCSU posts, while 1,035 candidates are competing for 13 hall parliament positions across 18 halls.

END/SMA/AJ