Ducsu polls: Writ filed challenging public disclosure of voters' personal data

Four students of Dhaka University (DU) filed a writ petition with the High Court today (24 August), challenging the university administration's decision to publicly disclose personal information of nearly 40,000 students ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election.

The petitioners alleged that the voter list, which included names, photographs, residential halls, departments, and academic years of students, was made accessible without any restrictions, violating their right to privacy.

They also sought a directive to limit the display of photographs and personal details of female students in the voter list.

The writ was filed by DU students Sabikun Nahar Tamanna, Md Zakaria, Fatema Tasnim Jhuma, and Rifat Redowan. 

Their lawyer, Md Faizullah Faez, told reporters that the students had earlier written to the vice chancellor requesting removal of female students' photographs from the voter list, but no action was taken. 

Following that, they served a legal notice to the chief returning officer yesterday. With no response, the writ petition was filed with the High Court.

On 11 August, the DU administration published the complete Ducsu voter list containing the personal information of nearly 40,000 students on a public platform.

The petitioners argued that making such personal data openly accessible is a violation of several articles of the Constitution of Bangladesh. They further claimed that the disclosure has caused serious harm to students' privacy, while female students have faced harassment and bullying as a result.