United News of Bangladesh

A crucial step has been taken towards the long-sought Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election, as the university administration confirms the possibility of forming the Ducsu Election Commission soon. According to the election timeline published in mid-April, the commission was scheduled to be formed in the first half of May and work is currently progressing towards that objective. Once constituted, the commission will officially initiate the Ducsu election process. Professor Dr Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University, said, “The election commission may be formed soon. We are considering a few names—individuals capable of connecting with students, fostering good relations and organising a fair election. We are speaking with those who are experienced and broadly acceptable.” Earlier, a survey indicated that students supported a jointly formed commission with representation from both students and teachers. Overwhelming majority of students in favour of DUCSU election by June: Survey Addressing this, Dr Bidisha noted, “Students have given some excellent opinions. However, students will not be included in the election commission. Once the commission is formed, implementing student suggestions will be among its responsibilities.” Meanwhile, the Ducsu constitution and the code of conduct for the election have been finalised. Key Provisions of the Code of Conduct: ·         No rallies or processions are allowed during the collection and submission of nomination papers. ·         Candidates must not be accompanied by more than five supporters when collecting or submitting nomination forms. ·         No individual, group, or student organisation may obstruct another candidate during nomination submission or withdrawal. ·         Use of vehicles for processions or transporting voters is prohibited, although rickshaws and bicycles may be used to reach polling centres. ·         Distribution of drinks, food, gifts, or tips to voters is strictly forbidden during the campaign and on the election day. ·         Campaigning is permitted from the publication of the final candidate list until 24 hours before the election day, between 10:00 am and 11:00 pm only. ·         Microphone use is prohibited after 10:00 pm. DU students submit memorandum demanding DUCSU election roadmap ·         Only Ducsu and hall union voters and candidates may campaign; no external campaigning is allowed within the campus. ·         Permission must be obtained at least 24 hours in advance for holding any meetings or gatherings. ·         Each candidate or group may hold one projection meeting in each hall and a maximum of three across the university. ·         Meetings, gatherings, or processions are restricted to locations approved by the chief returning officer or returning officers. Violations of the code of conduct may result in cancellation of candidacy and a fine of Tk 20,000. Besides, offenders may face expulsion or other penalties under applicable university or state laws. Reforms in the Ducsu Constitution: ·         This new Ducsu constitution includes notable reforms: ·         The mass uprising of 2024 has been formally recognised. ·         Two new sub-sections have been added under Section 2: ·         2(b): To establish the spirit of the July 2024 uprising against all forms of discrimination and fascism, and uphold the legacy of democratic movements in Bangladesh’s history. ·         2(c): To strive for excellence in students’ academic and co-curricular pursuits. The post of Secretary, Struggle for Independence and Liberation War Affairs has been restructured as Secretary, Liberation War and Democratic Movements. The roles of Cultural Secretary and Literature Secretary have been merged into a single position—Secretary, Culture and Literature. The Treasurer will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor from among the university’s professors, in consultation with the union’s executive committee. Any objections regarding the election must be submitted to the president within three clear days of the results’ publication. The president’s decision will be final. DU Chhatra Shibir demands DUCSU election roadmap announcement by Jan However, the previous clause stating, “No action will lie against this decision in any court of law,” has now been removed.    

Planning and Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday said every university has to have its own code of conduct under which the student politics will run. “Any university must has its own code of conduct, every student has its political identity, again an educational institution prepares its code of conduct comprising the country, society and other related matters,” he said. The adviser made the statement while answering a question after holding a press briefing on the recently submitted report of a task-force to develop strategies to boost the economy and mobilise resources for equitable and sustainable development at the NEC conference room in the planning ministry. Former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Dr KAS Murshid led the 12-member taskforce which was formed in September last. The Education Adviser mentioned that Cambridge, Oxford and like other universities across the globe have their own code of conduct. “That type of code of might not be happen in our country,” he expressed his depression. The taskforce in its report said all public and private universities should completely ban on-campus student politics. Responding to a question, the taskforce chief KAS Murshid said that they thought that in the last 50 years the traditional student politics will come to an end. Fixed college-to-university timeline for Titumir unjustified: Education Ministry “The taskforce does not think that we do not benefitted much by this student politics,” he said whereas the current interim government is the outcome of the student politics and the government formed this taskforce. He said that through this student politics any on campus matter transformed to crude economic corruption. “Most of the cases we see that, so why this kind of space will prevail, does any civilised country have this, apart of our South Asian countries any other civilised country have this space,” he questioned. But, he said that it does not mean that student politics is bad. “Student politics aligned with national parties is what we are against, this have to be considered seriously,” he said. The former BIDS chief said that student politics must have to remain, student will give their opinions, they will engage in activism for social issues, political issues and other issues and will be vocal. “They will play active positive role, for that we have to create some spaces, we should have to create a platform for that, (student will) come forward for the country, that is natural, but for that space is needed, we have to rethink that if that space means Shahbagh and Mohakhali,” he said. He mentioned that this is high time to think about the matter. “We can talk this matter during this kind of government (interim government) we can not do that in the past time, of we do not say it right now, then when we will talk avout it,” he said. Education Ministry has no direct role in addressing pvt universities' problems: Wahiduddin In his introductory speech, the taskforce chief briefly describing various points of the report said that it’s the show time and they have to do something. “If we do not do it, then when will be dome that.” He mentioned that there is no political government right now while the political influence has reduced. “As a result, the politically related barriers which often put obstacles in our jobs that is on the backfoot to some extent,” he said. He also said that this opportunity has to be availed, otherwise the scope will be lessen with the spinning of time. “So there is urgency in here I think, if we take the change at the end of the day we will be able to left behind something at least,” he said.

Mushfiqur Rahim has been fined 25 percent of his match fees for breach of the BCB Code of Conduct (CoC) in the 1st Qualifier match against Fortune Barishal on 14 December 2020 at the SBNCS, Dhaka, a statement sent by BCB reads.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday expressed displeasure against foreign diplomats for what he said interference in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs saying they should follow the code of conduct and apply their sense of responsibility.