Non-resident and female voters expected to shape results of Cucsu polls
“We’ll vote for candidates who can address the residential and transport crises," said zoology student Jannatul Ferdous
Non-resident and female students are expected to become a determinant factor in the outcomes of Chittagong University Central Students' Union (Cucsu) election, which is set to take place today after a long wait of 35 years.
These groups' demands have featured prominently in campaign promises and manifestos of all panels.
Although Chittagong University was designed to be a fully residential autonomous institution, around 70% of its students live off-campus. These non-resident students are expected to play a decisive role in the polls. Reflecting this, housing issues have been at the forefront of every candidate's manifesto and campaign. Candidates have been seen campaigning not only across the campus but also in surrounding cottages, university stations, and shuttle trains, especially at Sholoshahar Station.
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Following the violent clashes with villagers in nearby Jobra on 1 September, in which hundreds of students were injured, the demand for residential halls became louder. In the 1990 Cucsu election, there were only six halls and 10,526 voters, meaning non-resident students played a much smaller role then. Today, 15-16 thousand out of the university's around 28 thousand students live outside the campus.
Also, among the 27,518 voters this year, 11,329 are women, many of whom are typically less engaged in student politics. This large group of silent voters could significantly influence the results, according to analysts. Campaigns have therefore focused heavily on building a safer, more female-friendly campus, particularly around women's halls. Candidates have used various strategies to appeal to female voters.
Jannatul Ferdous, a zoology student who commutes daily from the city, told The Business Standard, "We'll vote for candidates who can address the residential and transport crises. Shuttle trains are overcrowded, and buses are insufficient. These problems must be fixed – especially for women."
Sajjad Hossain Hridoy, vice-president candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel, said, "The administration has always discriminated against non-resident students. They call us 'guests' and exclude us from the meal system in halls. During festivals, we even pay double for food tokens. If elected, we'll end this culture, press the administration to ensure housing, and work for a safe campus for women, who face bias from authorities."
Ibrahim Hossain Rony, VP candidate from the Chhatra Shibir panel, told TBS, "We have both short- and long-term plans to solve the housing crisis. Adding extensions or half-buildings to existing halls like Shahjalal and Shah Amanat could immediately house 200–300 more students per hall. Long-term, we'll demand new halls from the administration. For female students, we'll ensure maternity leave, common rooms, reading spaces, healthy cafeteria conditions, curtain corners, prayer rooms, and an overall women-friendly campus with strong safety measures."
Meanwhile, university authorities say they have completed all necessary preparations. Elections for residential hall and hostel unions will also be held today.
Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr Monir Uddin told TBS, "We've set up 700 secret booths across 60 polling rooms with 300 transparent ballot boxes in total. About 200 CCTV cameras and 15 large display screens will monitor the process."
According to the Cucsu Election Commission, a total of 906 candidates are contesting the seventh Cucsu election – 413 for the central union and 493 for hall and hostel unions.
Thirteen panels, representing student organisations including the Chhatra Dal, leftist groups, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Islami Chhatra Andolon, as well as various cultural and social organisations, have announced participation. In addition, 385 students are contesting independently.
Candidates will accept results 'if election is fair'
Hoping for fair polls, panels and independent candidates said they will accept the verdict of the voters.
Chhatra Dal panel's vice-president (VP) candidate Sajjad Hossain Hridoy told The Business Standard, "We want a fair election in a festive spirit. Whatever the result, if the election is fair, we will accept it."
Chhatra Shibir panel's vice-president (VP) candidate Ibrahim Hossain Rony told TBS, "We hope the election will be excellent if the administration plays a neutral role. We expect a fair election and are confident about our panel's victory. Win or lose, we will accept the students' verdict."
