The Appellate Division’s full bench has commenced hearings on the High Court order that suspended the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) elections.
On Wednesday, the seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, began hearing the appeal.
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua appeared on behalf of the writ petitioner, while Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir represented Dhaka University.
Earlier, on Monday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Habibul Gani and Justice Sheikh Tahsin Ali suspended the Ducsu elections until October 30.
The order was issued following a writ petition filed by BM Fahmida Alam, a candidate for the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs secretary position.
In a separate directive, the High Court ordered that all allegations brought by petitioner Fahmida Alam against SM Farhad, a general secretary candidate from the Shibir-backed panel nominated by the United Students’ Alliance, be submitted to the Ducsu election tribunal within 15 days.
The tribunal was instructed to accept the complaint, hold hearings with all parties present, conduct an inquiry and submit its findings by October 21.
The court also issued a rule in this regard.
However, within minutes of that order, the Chamber Judge Court, led by Justice Farah Mahbub, stayed the High Court’s suspension of the elections. This came in response to a handwritten petition filed by Dhaka University authorities.
Subsequently, on Tuesday, the university authorities again approached the Chamber Judge Court, which then referred the matter to the full bench of the Appellate Division for a hearing on Wednesday.
According to the election schedule, the Ducsu elections are slated for September 9, with 471 candidates contesting across central and hall-level positions.
The final list of candidates shows 45 vying for vice president (VP), 19 for general secretary (GS) and 25 for assistant general secretary (AGS).
Additionally, there are 17 candidates for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs secretary, 11 for Common Room, Reading Room and Cafeteria secretary, 14 for International Affairs secretary, 19 for Literature and Cultural secretary, 12 for Science and Technology secretary, 9 for Research and Publications secretary, 13 for Sports secretary, 12 for Student Transport secretary, 17 for Social Welfare secretary, 15 for Health and Environment secretary, 11 for Human Rights and Legal Affairs secretary and 15 for Career Development secretary.
The most intense competition is for the 13 member posts, with 217 candidates contesting.
