CUCSU Election: Here’s What to Know

The long-awaited Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election is underway after 35 years with 27,516 registered voters, including 11,156 female students, according to official university data.

This year’s election will fill 26 executive posts through direct voting. A total of 415 candidates are contesting the polls, including 24 vice-president (VP) aspirants, 22 general secretary (GS) candidates, and 22 assistant general secretary (AGS) contenders.

The CUCSU and hall union elections began on Wednesday morning, with voting starting at 9:30am and continuing uninterrupted until 4:00pm. Balloting is taking place at 15 centres across the campus using the OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) system.

Even before the polls opened, long queues of enthusiastic students formed in front of several centres. Returning officers sealed ballot boxes in the presence of presiding officers, polling agents, and media representatives to ensure transparency.

University authorities have said all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. Many first-time voters expressed excitement at taking part in what is being seen as a historic revival of campus democracy.

Alongside the CUCSU election, 493 candidates are contesting for 24 hall and hostel union positions. A total of 61 polling booths have been set up under five faculties, each accommodating up to 500 voters.