DUCSU leaders to remain in office for another 90 days, but only in routine capacity

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders will remain in office for up to another 90 days after the current committee’s one-year term expired, but their role will be limited to routine duties. The extension will end earlier if the university announces the election schedule.

The current committee, led by Vice-President (VP) Abu Sadiq Kaem and General Secretary (GS) S M Farhad, completed its 365-day term on Sunday, September 14.

Under sub-clause (g) of Article 6 of the DUCSU constitution, the elected representatives can continue performing their duties for another 90 days if a new election is not held within the stipulated term.

However, the university administration has said the committee will not have the authority to take policy or other substantive decisions during this period.

S M Farhad told The Daily Campus on Tuesday that the committee would continue to perform its duties in line with the constitution until a new election schedule is announced.

“According to the constitution, we will remain in office for another 90 days. There is no need for any separate decision on this. However, if the election schedule is announced during this period, the committee’s term will end. Until then, the committee will continue performing its duties according to the rules.”

Farhad also said the administration had not given them any clear information about the next election.

No visible election process yet

The university administration has yet to begin a visible process for the next DUCSU election, despite the current committee’s term ending.

No discussions have so far been held with stakeholders or active student organisations, according to those familiar with the matter.

This contrasts with the approach taken by the previous administration during the interim government, which began consultations with stakeholders and student organisations about a year before the election.

Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr Abdus Salam said the university would follow the existing DUCSU rules.

“Everything will proceed according to the existing rules of DUCSU. We have not yet discussed the matter.”

He said decisions regarding the election and related issues would be taken after discussions.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor and DUCSU President Prof ABM Obaidul Islam said the matter would be discussed by the university’s highest policy-making body, the Syndicate.

“The DUCSU constitution will be discussed at a meeting of the Syndicate, the highest policy-making forum. A meeting has already been held regarding the election. The hall administrations will also send letters about the election environment. We will discuss the matter with active student organisations, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders before making a decision.”

The vice-chancellor said he could not give any specific timeline for the election.

“According to the constitution, the current DUCSU committee can remain in office for an additional 90 days. The matter will also be discussed by the Syndicate. If changes are made to the constitution, action will be taken accordingly. Since the term of DUCSU has expired, the committee’s role will be limited to routine duties. They will not be able to take any decisions.”

Committee says it is ready to hand over charge

The 2025 DUCSU and hall council committees also held a closing programme after completing their one-year terms.

The programme began at 6:30pm on Monday at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building and ended around 9:30pm. DUCSU Treasurer, central council leaders and elected representatives from all university halls except Jagannath Hall attended the event.

Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam, who is also the DUCSU president, was absent from the closing programme.

Earlier, DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubayer said in a Facebook post that the current representatives were ready to hand over responsibility to the next elected committee.

“We are ready to hand over responsibility to the next elected representatives. We have no desire to cling to our positions for even a single day after our term ends. We consider DUCSU a sacred responsibility, not a source of exercising power.”

DUCSU elections were held in 2025 after a 28-year gap, with the elected representatives taking charge on September 14 that year.