Remembering the 1990 Ducsu polls: 20 panels, 20-page ballot paper, Chhatra Dal’s landslide victory

The 1990 Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election took place against the backdrop of a turbulent anti-autocracy movement.

On one side, nationwide protests were growing against the military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad and on the other, university students were becoming increasingly politically active.

This convergence was clearly reflected in the election results.

Chhatra Dal achieved a landslide victory, overshadowing all other developments, including widespread competition, the introduction of first-time election technology, and a 20-page ballot paper.

20 panels, 1,530 candidates

In the 1990 Ducsu election, 489 candidates competed for 20 central posts while 1,041 candidates contested 168 positions in 14 hall unions. 

Compared with the previous year, the number of panels doubled from 10 to 20.

For the positions of vice-president and social service secretary, 31 candidates competed, the highest number for any position.

The number of independent candidates also rose from 40 in the last election to nearly 100.

20-page ballot paper, first use of ballpoint pen

The large number of candidates in the 1990 Ducsu polls required 20 pages of ballot papers to be printed.

According to newspaper reports on 6 June that year, the university administration allocated nearly Tk4 lakh for the elections.

Another first was the use of ballpoint pens instead of wooden pencils for voting, marking a step forward in election modernisation.

Peaceful election, 62% turnout

On 7 June 1990, Dainik Sangbad reported on the polls under the headline 'Ducsu election completed peacefully'.

According to the report, out of 28,690 registered voters, 17,138 cast their votes, giving a turnout of 62.52%.

Voting took place from 7:30am to 2pm in all 14 halls. After the polls closed, sealed ballot boxes were transported under strict police supervision to the Arts Building for counting.

Reports in Inqilab and Ittefaq on the same day also confirmed that both Ducsu and hall union elections were conducted peacefully with strict police arrangements.

Mustaq Hossain, elected general secretary in the 1989 Ducsu polls, contested the vice-president post in 1990 from a combined panel of nine student organisations.

Speaking to The Business Standard, he said the elections were highly participatory and created a lively campus atmosphere.

Election posters reflected promises and appeals

Each panel used unique posters to convey promises and appeals. 

Chhatra League posters called for unity against autocracy, terrorism and communalism.

Chhatra Dal posters pledged to eliminate autocracy and violence and preserve university autonomy.

Chhatra Union posters urged students to resist weapons and terror to save Dhaka University.

The nine-student organisation panel highlighted leadership based on the Liberation War spirit and uncompromising student activism.

National Chhatra League posters urged voters to restore the university's dignity.

From 'rebel panels' to united Chhatra Dal, landslide victory

Initially, division existed within Chhatra Dal. On 1 June 1990, newspapers reported a panel supported by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia called the "Aman-Khokon" panel while a separate faction, the "Dudu-Ripon" panel, was announced by other party members. 

Intervention by top leaders led to Shamsuzzaman Dudu and Asaduzzaman Ripon withdrawing.

A united Chhatra Dal then contested and won all 20 central posts. Aman Ullah Aman was elected vice-president, Khairul Kabir Khokon as general secretary, and Nazimuddin Alam as assistant general secretary.

Each candidate received nearly 7,000 votes, almost double that of their nearest rival.

In hall unions, Chhatra Dal won 131 out of 168 posts across nine halls.

Chhatra League second, others far behind

Chhatra League candidates won 29 posts across two halls. Chhatra Union secured seven posts and one independent candidate won a seat. 

Panels of nine student organisations, the National Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir did not win any positions. 

Analysis shows the main contest was between six panels: Chhatra League "Alam-Kamrul," Chhatra Dal "Aman-Khokon," Chhatra Union "Babul-Nasir," nine-student organisation "Mustaq-Supon," National Chhatra League "Bulbul-Kamal" and Islami Chhatra Shibir "Amin-Mujib."

Influence on anti-Ershad movement

The 1990 Ducsu election influenced not only student politics but also national politics.

Mustaq Hossain, the former Ducsu leader, recalled, "The environment of mutual respect that was built during the '89 election led to the 1990 Ducsu election. We said at the time that those who would be elected would unite the anti-Ershad movement."

It strengthened the anti-Ershad movement and contributed to the formation of an all-party student alliance, leading to Ershad's fall, he said.

In the 1990 Ducsu election, Khairul Kabir Khokon, currently joint secretary general of BNP, was elected general secretary.

He told TBS, "The election focused on the fight against autocracy and the restoration of democracy. We promised in our manifesto that if elected, we would put an end to the autocratic rule. The students had faith in us, and we were able to unite them right after we were elected."

Chhatra Dal's victory enabled students to unite and achieve ultimate success in the pro-democracy movement, he added.