Bangladesh Student Union Elections Revived After Six Years Amid Shifting Political Landscape
Imge source:IANS
A Historic Return of Student Politics
Dhaka, Sep 9 (TheTrendingPeople) — Bangladesh’s long-troubled student politics entered a new chapter on Tuesday, September 9, as the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections were held after a six-year gap. The polls come at a critical moment in the nation’s political history, just months after the July 2024 student-led revolution ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
The revival of DUCSU elections — long seen as a breeding ground for future political leaders — has sparked fresh debate over the role of youth in shaping Bangladesh’s future.
Background: A History of Student Movements
Bangladesh has often witnessed its students at the forefront of political upheavals. From the 1971 Liberation War to movements against military rulers and authoritarian governments, student bodies have historically played decisive roles.
The last DUCSU elections before the recent revival took place in March 2019, after a 28-year hiatus. Prior to that, polls were held on June 6, 1990, when student activism was instrumental in ousting General H.M. Ershad, ending nearly a decade of military rule.
According to a Dhaka Tribune report from 2019, successive regimes deliberately avoided holding DUCSU elections, fearing student mobilization could destabilize their grip on power.
Universities Caught in Political Deadlock
While the latest polls at Dhaka University mark a turning point, many other public universities remain in limbo. A Daily Star report from August highlighted that Jahangirnagar University and Rajshahi University are scheduled for elections, but dozens of others face legal and administrative barriers.
Of Bangladesh’s 56 public universities, only seven currently have legal provisions for a central students’ union. Jagannath University recently approved a constitution for its long-awaited student union, while others like Begum Rokeya University, Islamic University, Comilla University, and Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University still lack frameworks for student polls.
The absence of student bodies has often led to frustration and protests. At Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University, nine students were hospitalized during a hunger strike launched on August 17, demanding elections and campus reforms.
The Political Overhang: From Hasina’s Grip to Interim Rule
Critics of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina long accused her of manipulating student politics through the ruling Awami League’s student wing, often excluding opposition-aligned students from meaningful participation.
The interim government, which came to power following last year’s protests, has since banned the Awami League and designated its student wing a “terror outfit.” This shift has drastically altered the power balance on campuses, allowing previously marginalized groups to gain ground.
Still, uncertainty hangs heavy. Despite promises of reform and inclusive governance, the interim administration has yet to announce a clear roadmap for national elections.
What the DUCSU Elections Mean for Bangladesh
For many, the revival of DUCSU elections symbolizes hope that democratic practices can return at least to student campuses, if not yet to the broader political system.
“This is not just a campus election — it’s a signal to the nation that young people are ready to take responsibility,” said Abdul Karim, a political science lecturer at Dhaka University. “But whether this momentum translates into national politics remains to be seen.”
Observers say the elections could provide the interim government with a chance to build trust with the younger generation, which remains wary after years of suppression and manipulation. However, they also caution that without national elections, the revival of student unions may only provide temporary relief.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Bangladesh’s student body elections serve as both a reminder of the past and a glimpse of what could lie ahead. From their historic role in ending dictatorships to their recent success in unseating a powerful prime minister, students remain at the heart of the nation’s political journey.
As DUCSU elections return after six years, they signal a new phase of political engagement. Yet, without a clear timeline for national polls, the road to lasting stability remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Bangladesh’s youth are once again stepping into the spotlight — determined to shape the destiny of their country.