Let's learn from mistakes in DUCSU polls

Debates on the DUCSU (Dhaka University Central Students’ Union) elections are not over yet. After the elected representatives have officially assumed office, 50 teachers have made a joint statement. It was issued as the proctorial body of the university had demanded punishment for eight teachers. Those demanding the punishment are also teachers.

By this, the proctorial body tried to silence the teachers. This is contradictory to democratic culture and values. They could not bring any specific allegations against anyone. The teachers are the conscience of the society. They should not neglect their duty and responsibilities in any situation.

The university administration itself had promised to form probe committee after the students had protested against irregularities and vote rigging at the DUCSU and hall union polls. The teachers did not commit anything wrong saying on the same issue. Rather they tried to save the gradually declining image of Dhaka University.

The incidents at Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, Rukayyah Hall and poet Sufia Kamal Hall on the day of voting were reported in the media. The administration and proctorial body could not hide those. We hope the university administration or the proctorial body would not commit any such thing which would further deteriorate the situation.

Nurul Haq and his associates took oath and the students' postponed their demonstration programmes following the pledge made by the administration. It would be wrong for the university administration, following this, that all the complications over the election are over. There must be a fair investigation into the irregularities. We hope, the university administration would be diligent in fulfilling their duty and responsibility.

There have been demands at other universities too, to hold the student union elections following the DUCSU polls. The DUCSU president also expressed hope that student union elections will be held at other universities and colleges across the country. The vice chancellor of Chittagong University has already said that a decision in principle has already been taken for holding CHUCSU elections. We welcome his announcement.

But the election must be in a free and fair manner. Repetition of the irregularities in the DUCSU and Dhaka University hall union polls are highly undesirable. The concerned persons must ensure a flawless voting environment along with the inclusion of all student organisations and candidates. The government's policymakers take credit on forming student cabinets at schools. This, as they claim, has enabled the students to practice democracy and leadership.

If the government is so enthusiastic to create student leadership in the schools, why is it not so regarding college and university? Governments have been undemocratic to stop holding the student union election for three decades in a civilised and democratic country. The wave of practicisng democracy that was initiated through the DUCSU polls, despite various deviations and weaknesses, should be rendered in the whole country.

The government must understand that there is no alternative to student union elections for creating competent, skilled national leadership. Let us take lessons from the mistakes in DUCSU polls and let the student uion elections at other educational institutions be in a free, fair and peaceful manner.