Leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) yesterday demanded a fresh polling schedule for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) after ensuring a congenial atmosphere for the election. They visited Madhur Canteen and held a press conference regarding the DUCSU polls.

It took nine long years for the JCD to enter the varsity premises after they had been ousted from the campus by the BCL. On Monday, the DUCSU election returning officer announced that the DUCSU polls would be held on March 11.  

The announcement of the polling schedule drew mixed reactions, with only the BCL welcoming the date.

In the press conference, JCD central unit president Rajib Ahsan pressed home their seven-point charter of demands including the announcement of a fresh schedule and co-existence of all active student bodies on the campus.  “We want a three-month postponement of the DUCSU election," he said.

JCD general secretary Akram Hossain, DU unit JCD president Al Mehedi Hasan Talukder and its general secretary Basar Siddiqi were present at the press conference.

The JCD also demanded co-existence of all active students in the dormitories before the announcement of a fresh polling schedule for the DUCSU; setting up of polling booths in the Academic Bhaban instead of in the halls; cancellation of the age limit of 30 years for DUCSU candidates and resolution of the matter through academic sessions; hassle-free election campaigns by all students' organisations; no harrassment or arrest of candidates of the students bodies during campaigns; reformation of the DCUSU election committee; amendment of the undemocratic Article 5(A) of the DUCSU constitution; and addition of a charter of joint decisions with the DUCSU president and other members to dissolve the DUCSU committee.

Asked about their electoral candidates in the DUCSU election, Rajib said: “We're still talking to the voters. After our demands are fulfilled, we'll decide our candidates.”

Akram Hossain said: “We hope that political co-existence will increase centring the DUCSU election. We want the past glory of students' politics to come back”.

Leaders and activists of the Chhatra League, led by BCL DU unit general secretary Saddam Hossain, came to Madhur Canteen to exchange views the JCD. The JCD leaders also exchanged views with Chhatra Union leaders Liton Nandi and Tuhin Kanti Das.