The chamber judge of the Supreme Court has lifted the High Court order that had postponed the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election until October 30.
Justice Farah Mahbub, chamber judge of the Appellate Division, issued the order on Monday after considering a handwritten petition submitted by Dhaka University authorities challenging the High Court’s stay.
Lawyers said the decision cleared the way for holding the election. Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir represented the petitioners, noting that the chamber court’s suspension of the High Court order now allows the polls to proceed.
Earlier, the High Court, in a ruling by Justice Habibul Gani and Justice Sheikh Tahsin Alim, had postponed the Ducsu election until October 30. The order came after a writ petition by BM Fahmida Alam, a candidate for the Liberation War and Democratic Movements secretary post. The court also directed Fahmida Alam to submit her allegations against SM Farhad, the GS candidate from the panel backed by Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing Shibir, to the Ducsu election tribunal within 15 days.
High Court stays Ducsu pollsThe tribunal is instructed to conduct hearings and inquiries before submitting its report by October 21.
Ducsu polls are set for September 7, with 471 candidates contesting across central and hall-level positions. The final list includes 45 candidates for vice president, 19 for general secretary, and 25 for assistant general secretary. Other posts see competition ranging from 9 to 17 candidates, with the 13-member posts attracting 217 contenders.
The High Court stay sparked protests among Dhaka University students on Monday afternoon. Students laid siege to the vice chancellor’s residence and demonstrated around the campus.
