Cucsu polls: Registrar not on committee, yet Chhatra Dal demands his removal

Chittagong University Chhatra Dal has submitted a memorandum to the vice chancellor demanding reforms to the constitution of the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (Cucsu) as well as the removal of the proctor and registrar from all election-related activities.

However, Acting Registrar Dr Mohammad Saiful Islam expressed outrage at being included in the demand despite having no role in the election process. Terming it defamatory, he warned of possible legal action.

On Monday, Chhatra Dal leaders handed over the memorandum, which called for revising the Cucsu constitution.

The memorandum said the university administration had so far delayed announcing the election schedule, raising doubts about whether the polls would be held at all. It also objected to inconsistencies and ambiguities in the constitution, the inclusion of MPhil and PhD students, and provisions deemed discriminatory towards female students. These decisions, taken without consulting students, were described as unilateral and contrary to their rights and democratic spirit.

The organisation also alleged administrative bias, claiming the proctor had favoured one student group while discriminating against others. According to the memorandum, the proctor acted like a spokesperson for that group, gave its leaders responsibilities in different areas, and even campaigned on its behalf in recent months. Similar allegations were made against the registrar, whose conduct was described as politically biased and potentially obstructive to fair elections.

The memorandum read, "For the sake of restoring student confidence and ensuring a free and impartial Cucsu election, the proctor and registrar should be relieved of all election-related duties."

In response, Acting Registrar Prof Saiful Islam rejected the allegations outright. "If they had even a basic understanding of Cucsu, they wouldn't have made such claims. Cucsu is about students, not me. I am not even on the committee, so how can the question of my removal arise?" he said.

He added that both the vice chancellor and pro-vice chancellor had repeatedly requested him to work on the Cucsu committee, but he declined because of his existing workload. "What they have done is defamatory. They acted with extreme irresponsibility. I will consult with a lawyer and take action," he said.

According to university sources, the current Cucsu election committee is headed by Chief Election Commissioner Dr Monir Uddin. The member secretary is Dr A K M Ariful Haque Siddique, provost of Shahid Abdur Rab Hall. Other members include deans, provosts, directors, and faculty representatives, as well as Proctor Prof Tanvir Mohammad Hayder Arif. The committee is overseen by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Dr Md Kamal Uddin.

Chhatra Dal argued that to form an effective Cucsu, only undergraduate and graduate students should be eligible to run, excluding MPhil and PhD candidates. They also demanded withdrawal of the 30-year age limit.

Cucsu elections have been rare since the university's founding in 1966. The first was held in 1970, but in the five decades since, polls have taken place only six times, the last on 8 February 1990.