Female, non-resident voters decisive force in Ducsu polls
BSS, Dhaka
Female and non-resident voters could be a decisive part in much-anticipated Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) polls as some 16,292 female students out of total 43,256 will vote in the polls to be held today. Out of total female voters, there are 4608 voters in Rokeya Hall, 3764 in Shamsun Nahar Hall, 2288 in Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, 1928 in Bangladesh Kuwait Moitri Hall, 3724 in Poet Sufia Kamal Hall.
On the other hand, out of total 26,964 male voters, there are 1799 voters in Bangabandhu Hall, 2496 in Jagannath Hall, 3155 in Bijoy Ekattor Hall, 2052 in Shahidullah Hall, 2075 in Fazlul Huq Hall, 1814 in Salimullah Muslim Hall, 2301 in Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, 2170 in Surya Sen Hall, 1981 in Haji Mohammed Mohsin Hall, 1658 in Poet Jasim Uddin Hall, 1840 in Sir F Rahman Hall, 1346 in Amar Ekushey Hall and 2257 in Zia Hall.
In the DUCSU election this time, a huge number of female students will exercise their voting rights. Its a good sign as the country has been spreading the campaign of women empowerment at all levels, said Sonjit Chandra Das, chairman of the election conducting committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League led Sammilita Shikkharti Sangsad and BCLs DU unit president.
He said We have given nominations to seven female candidates from our panel to contest the polls. Hopefully the participation of female students will increase in coming days.
Mentioning that there are 22 female elected MPs in the 11th parliament which is maximum in number so far, Das said the participation of female students will also increase gradually in the DUCSU elections, which is touted as the countrys second parliament.
Litan Nandi, vice-president candidate of left-leaning panel Pragatishil Chhatra Oikya and general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, told the news agency, We have given priority to female voters and put our special efforts while conducting election campaign at female dormitories. Giving special focus, we also tried to reach non-resident both female and male voters whose votes could be a decisive matter in the polls.
He also expressed his optimism that the female and non-resident voters will cast their votes in favour of the alliance of left leaning student bodies.
But in terms of candidacy, female are lagging behind their male counterparts as only 28 female candidates out of 229 will contest the central students union polls against 25 posts while the number of male candidates is 201.
Only 15 per cent women candidates vie in the election this year whereas the percentage of total women voters is 36.
According to the final voter list, two female candidates will vie for VP post, three for general secretary (GS), two for liberation war affairs secretary, five for common room and cafeteria affairs secretary posts while only one candidate for science and technology affairs secretary, international affairs secretary and literature affairs secretary, sports affairs secretary and social welfare secretary posts each.
Some 11 female candidates will vie for members post in the election race while there is no female candidates for assistant general secretary post, cultural affairs secretary post and student transport affairs secretary post.
Bangladesh Chhatra League nominee for international affairs secretary post Sahrima Tanzima Orny said females participation in the election is lower than male.
I tried to carry out my election campaign reaching every student in female dormitories pledging them to put my best endeavours for their welfare as well as increasing their participation in that platform. Finally I drew a huge response and support from them, she said.
