Candidates Intensify Campaign Despite Durga Puja Holidays, Aim to Win Students with Manifestos

The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election, set for October 15 after a 35-year hiatus, has candidates from various panels, including Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Dal, actively campaigning despite the ongoing Durga Puja holidays.

Following the release of the final candidate list on Thursday, contenders have been engaging students across campus, from shuttle trains to halls, mosques, and city areas, even with reduced student presence due to the five-day university closure. On Friday, candidates were seen exchanging greetings and campaigning after Juma prayers at the university’s Central Jame Mosque, Science Faculty Jame Mosque, and Zero Point Jame Mosque, with noticeable voter interaction.

Shuttle train compartments also became campaign hubs, with candidates like Chhatra Shibir’s General Secretary (GS) candidate Saeed Bin Habib and Chhatra Dal’s branch president Alauddin Mohsin seen exchanging pleasantries post-prayers on Thursday. Sajjad Hossain Hridoy, Chhatra Dal’s Vice President (VP) candidate, told *The Daily Campus* that the long-awaited election has sparked curiosity among students, adding, “We’re receiving strong responses and expect their support, especially from female students.”

Ibrahim Roni, VP candidate from Chhatra Shibir’s ‘Students’ Alliance for Harmony’ panel, noted that despite the holidays, most students remain on campus or in the city due to ongoing exams, saying, “We’re getting good feedback and hope students will trust us.”

Independent candidate Mahfuzur Rahman from the ‘Independent Students’ Collective’ emphasized, “We’re trying our best to reach every student. As non-partisan candidates, we’re fighting for them and hope for their support.” Candidates promise to prioritize student welfare over party agendas if elected, with Chhatra Shibir’s manifesto, led by Roni, focusing on a safe campus, 100% housing, improved transport, better healthcare, and a new TSC building.

Mahbubur Rahman, Chhatra Shibir’s Science and IT Secretary candidate and a July uprising victim, said, “CUCSU is a platform for securing student rights. We’ve been warmly received, and Inshallah, we’ll win.” Chhatra Dal’s GS candidate Md. Shafayat Hossain highlighted addressing student issues, partnering with local hospitals and businesses for discounts, and aiding students seeking overseas education with financial support.

The ‘Revolution for State of Humanity’ panel, backed by the Insaaniyat Biplob Student Front, announced the first manifesto with 17 points, emphasizing a politics-free campus, safe knowledge exchange, and solutions for housing and transport crises.

The election will see 908 candidates—415 for the central union and 493 for hall unions—competing for 27,634 votes, marking a historic return of student democracy at Chittagong University.