Overwhelming majority of students in favour of DUCSU election by June: Survey

If the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election is organised within June of this year, it will be most peaceful, and this is the opinion of a large majority of students of the University.

In a survey conducted by the "Advisory Committee" formed by the Dhaka University administration to successfully organise the DUCSU and hall union elections, students have expressed this opinion.

Dhaka University's ICT Cell started this survey on March 23. The results of the survey were submitted to the Advisory Committee on April 6.

In the survey, 1,743 students of the university participated by answering 8 questions through their respective institutional emails. Out of the participants, 1,307 students (74.9%) have given their opinion in favour of organising the DUCSU election within the next three months.

Of the rest, 279 students (16%) said that if the DUCSU election is held within the next 6 months, it will be peaceful and acceptable.

Another 95 students have given their opinion in favour of holding the DUCSU election within one year.

And 62 students think that if the DUCSU election is held after more than one year, it will be peaceful and acceptable.

Some 1,266 students who participated in the survey think the DUCSU election is extremely necessary, while just 31 students think it is completely unnecessary.

To ensure a peaceful and neutral DUCSU election, 903 students (51.8%) have given their opinion that ensuring strict security measures from the administration is the most important step.

Some 309 students (17.5%) have expressed their opinion in favour of making voting and counting fully digital.

In response to the question, "Where can polling centres be set up to make the DUCSU election free and fair? "-860 students (49.3%) have given their opinion in favour of setting up polling centres in some pre-selected academic buildings (such as Curzon Hall, Social Sciences Building, and Arts Building).

Some 394 students (22.6%) have given their opinion in favour of setting up polling centres both in halls and academic buildings.

Another 305 students (17.5%) favour setting up polling centres in residential halls.

As many as 725 students (41.6%) are in favour of allowing anyone to be a candidate who will have at least one year of valid studentship from the day of nomination submission.

In addition, students have also mentioned in the survey the need for conditions like having a minimum CGPA for candidacy, setting an age limit, and provisions that candidates should not be accused of certain specific crimes, including criminal offences.

For forming a fair and neutral Election Commission, a majority (1,033 students) have suggested that students and teachers jointly determine the commission.