CU gears up for first Cucsu election in 35 years amid tight security

After 35 years, the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (Cucsu) election is set to take place tomorrow amid tight security measures across the campus.

The voting will begin at 9:00am and continue 4:00pm.

Terming the election "historic", Professor Monir Uddin, chief of the Election Commission, said after a long period, students are reclaiming their democratic rights.

"Through this vote, new leadership will emerge, entrusted with fulfilling the aspirations of CU students," he said.

Formal campaigning began on September 25, with candidates using music, theatre, and mime performances to reach voters. Shuttle trains, a symbol of CU's unique culture, became mobile platforms for campaign slogans and songs.

"We want our rights to be realised through Cucsu. Those elected should prioritise students' interests over party politics," said Abu Sayeed, a student of Islamic History.

Cucsu's return after 35 years is more than an election, it's a struggle to reclaim students' voices, one of the candidates said.

Established in 1966, Chittagong University held its first Cucsu election in 1970. Although the polls were intended to be annual, decades of political and administrative hurdles prevented regular voting.

Tomorrow's election, the seventh in CU's history, marks a symbolic revival of student democracy and a long-awaited turning point for the campus.

To ensure the safety of students, the university administration has deployed large contingents of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), police, and intelligence personnel.

According to university sources, eight Rab battalion teams have been stationed to maintain overall security and will remain on campus until vote counting is complete. Intelligence officers in plainclothes will also monitor activities across key points, while additional reserve teams are on standby.

"We will remain on duty throughout the day and until the results are announced," said a Rab official.

"Additional teams will join if required. We are coordinating closely with the university administration to ensure a peaceful election."

Five executive magistrates have been assigned to different faculties to oversee law and order, while the army will act as a striking force in case of emergencies.

Chittagong University Proctor Prof Shahid Sarwardi said no outsiders will be allowed to enter the campus on election day without Election Commission permission.

"Strict security measures have been taken so that students can vote without fear," he said.

He added that the security level was heightened following clashes between students and locals on August 30 and 31.

"I believe students are hopeful about this long-awaited Cucsu election, and we expect a peaceful voting day," he added.

The upcoming vote marks the revival of a long-dormant democratic tradition at CU. The campus has been alive with anticipation since the election schedule was announced on August 28, as thousands of students prepare to cast their ballots for the first time.

CU has held the Cucsu election only six times in its history, with the last one taking place on February 8, 1990. The prolonged absence of elections turned the Cucsu building into a relic of lost student representation, mockingly dubbed the "Jobra Dining and Community Centre" by frustrated students.

After the July mass uprising, student groups renewed their campaign for Cucsu, demanding the restoration of their democratic rights. Following years of advocacy and demonstrations, the election date was finally announced, offering a new generation of students the chance to reclaim their voice.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 908 candidates are contesting in the Cucsu and hall union polls, including 47 women. Of them, 415 candidates are running for 26 Cucsu posts, while 493 candidates are vying for 14 hall union positions.

A total of 27,516 students—16,400 male and 11,116 female—are registered to vote in tomorrow's election. Voting will take place across 15 centres in five faculties and 15 halls, covering 60 rooms with 689 booths.

Fourteen LED screens will display live voting and counting updates. Ballot papers will be used, and votes will be counted through Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines. Transparent ballot boxes and photo-verified voter lists will be maintained at each centre.