Shibir-backed candidates Shadik, Farhad leading in top two Ducsu posts
Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed vice president candidate Abu Shadik Kayem took a huge lead in the Ducsu polls in 12 out of Dhaka University's 18 halls as of 5:20am.
The results announced by the presiding officers of respective halls showed that Shadik won a total of 8,837 votes while his nearest candidate Abidul Islam Khan, from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed panel, got 4,088 as of filing this report at 6:00am today.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Besides, independent candidate Umama Fatema got 2,568 votes.
The total number of votes from Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, Amar Ekushey Hall, Fazlul Huq Hall, Kabi Sufia Kamal, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall and Shamsunnahar hall is 15,324. Around 78 percent of 39,775 votes were cast.
In the general secretary position, SM Farhad received 6,723 votes, followed by left-leaning Meghmallar Bosu with 3,722 votes, and Chhatra Dal-backed Tanvir Baree Hamim with 3,342 votes.
Presiding officers so far announced results of Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, Jagannath Hall, Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, Salimullah Muslim Hall, Ruqayyah Hall, Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.
Both Shadik and Farhad contested the polls under "Oikyaboddho Shikkharthi Jote" panel. Shadik was immediate past president of Shibir's DU unit while Farhad currently holds the post.
Meanwhile, thousands of Dhaka University students and candidates waited anxiously for the announcement of the Ducsu election results until 6:00am today, over 13 hours since votes were cast in the much-anticipated polls.
A tense situation prevailed on the campus with a large number of supporters of candidates from various panels gathering in and outside Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban from where the final results were set to be announced. The building's conference room was fully packed, with candidates and supporters chanting slogans.
Students and supporters of different candidates were also seen in front of all polling centres and major points, including TSC and Shahbagh. Many of them expressed frustration over the delay in announcing the result even 10 hours after the end of voting across eight centres.
"We have been hearing that the results would be announced soon, but there is no such thing coming. How long does it take to announce the results?" said Akramul, a student of Amar Ekushey Hall.
Around 1:45am, authorities in charge of different centres started announcing results. DU officials said the final result will be declared after the centre authorities finish their result announcements.
Explaining the delay, Prof SM Shamim Reza, returning officer at the Udayan School centre, told reporters around 11:00pm last night that voting was completed at 4:00pm and all ballot boxes had to be brought to a central location afterwards, which took another hour.
"Then the ballots had to be processed, sorted, and extracted -- this sorting is taking considerable time because the ballots were marked in various ways," he said, adding that the ballots for the hall union elections were being scanned first, and one set of Ducsu had also been scanned.
"Based on what our technical team is saying, it could go past midnight."
Yesterday's voting was mostly peaceful, except scattered allegations of irregularities. The atmosphere remained electric as groups of students rallied behind their preferred candidates, engaged in debates, and made last-minute decisions before stepping into the polling booths from early morning.
Ten correspondents and photographers of The Daily Star reported that students turned out in large numbers from 8:00am to 4:00pm across eight designated centres.
Alongside the central student union, votes were also cast for hall representatives. There were 471 candidates vying for 28 Ducsu posts and 1,035 for 234 posts in 18 hall unions.
Meanwhile, the DU administration last night announced that no classes or exams will be held today.
For 13 days, the campus buzzed with vibrant campaigning, colourful leaflets, and fiery debates as candidates vied for the Ducsu elections -- long seen as one of the country's most influential student bodies and a launchpad for national leadership.
FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE
From early morning, the campus teemed with students lining up, energised by the sense of taking part in a historic exercise that shaped generations before them. The number of female voters was notably high.
Many students arrived in groups, taking photos and selfies as lines stretched outside centres. Around the Social Science buildings and Senate Bhaban, others sang and celebrated.
However, supporters of various candidates were seen distributing campaign material at entry points, violating the electoral code, annoying many voters.
For many, especially first-time voters, the day was more than just about casting a vote -- it was a rite of passage into civic participation.
"I was too excited to sleep last night. This is my first time voting in a democratic environment," said Imdadul Haque, a Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall student, at the Udayan School centre.
A second-year student from Ruqayyah Hall said, "We want winners who'll stand up for the rights of general students and uphold academic interests, not pursue political agendas."
As the day progressed, voter numbers rose. Some braved the heat, waiting in line for nearly an hour.
VOTER TURNOUT
According to returning offices, the highest turnout was recorded at Surya Sen Hall, with 88 percent, followed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall at 87 percent and Kabi Jasimuddin Hall at 86 percent.
Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall witnessed 68.39 percent turnout and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall saw 67.08 percent turnout, the lowest rate.
DU authorities could not immediately provide the voter turnout of the previous elections since independence, but former Ducsu candidates and student politics historians said turnout in yesterday's polls was significantly higher.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, twice-elected VP in 1979 and 1980, said turnout in his time was about 60 percent. Professor MM Akash, a 1982 GS candidate, recalled participation above 50 percent.
Public health expert Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, elected GS in 1989, said turnout hovered around 60 percent in both 1989 and 1990.
The last Ducsu polls in March 2019, held after 28 years, saw 59.5 percent turnout.
Historian Mohammed Hannan described yesterday's turnout as highly encouraging, reflective of students' strong preference for democracy.
He noted the election timing -- a year after the student-led July uprising -- inspired many, especially women, to vote. He recalled turnout was also high in the first Ducsu election in 1972 after Liberation.
The Ducsu was formed in 1922, a year after the university was founded. Its mission was to promote cultural activities and foster cooperation among students across dormitories.
Over time, it became one of the most powerful and historically influential student bodies in the country, often termed as a launching pad for future national leaders.
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