Polling centres abuzz as DU students cast votes with excitement
From early morning, residential students turned up at the polling centres, while non-residential students started arriving as the day progressed
Students expressed enthusiasm as they finally cast votes in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections, which began this morning (September 9) across the university's eight designated centres. The polls are being held after a six-and-a-half-year gap.
From early morning, residential students turned up at the polling centres, while non-residential students started arriving as the day progressed.
Between 8am and 11am, our correspondent visited four centres - Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, Udayan Higher Secondary Centre, TSC Centre, and University Laboratory School and College - where long queues of voters were seen. So far, no major complaints have been reported at these centres.
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Md Saifur Rahman Safin, a voter from Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, told The Business Standard, "The environment is very festive. We stayed up all night waiting to vote. I came to campus at 8am. I've never voted before, and casting my first ballot feels different."
Nusran Jahin Nova, a resident of Bangamata Hall who cast her ballot at the Dhaka University Club centre, said, "This is the first time in my life that I've voted. I came with my roommates, and it feels great. After voting, we are going around different halls."
Najibul Haque, an Islamic Studies student from Sir AF Rahman Hall, told The Business Standard, "The past fascist government had deprived us of fair elections. It feels liberating to be able to vote freely. Through our votes, qualified candidates will be elected. We want Ducsu elections to be held every year."
Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed candidate for the assistant general secretary (AGS) post, cast his vote at the Senate Bhaban at 9am.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said, "It is too early to comment on the overall election environment. For now, only residential students are voting, but so far the situation is very conducive to polling."
"So far, we have not received any complaints. Since only residential students are voting at the moment, and most know each other, there is no sign of unrest," he added.
