Amid growing demand for student representation and campus accountability, pressure continues to mount for the long-overdue Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DAKSU) election. Student organizations, academic observers, and civil society voices have renewed their calls for immediate action to restore democratic practices within the country’s premier university.
The last DAKSU election, held in 2019 after a 28-year gap, was viewed as a milestone in reintroducing student participation in campus governance. However, the union’s tenure ended in 2021, and since then, no fresh elections have been held — raising concerns over the erosion of student rights and democratic engagement.
Many students argue that the absence of a functional student body limits their ability to raise institutional issues, such as quality of education, dormitory conditions, campus safety, and freedom of expression. Several student-led initiatives and protests have recently been organized, demanding the formation of an election commission and a clear timeline for the next DAKSU polls.
Political analysts and university alumni also emphasize that DAKSU has historically been a breeding ground for national leadership, producing figures who went on to play key roles in politics and policymaking. The continued delay, they say, not only weakens campus democracy but also hinders the development of future leadership.
University authorities have yet to announce any formal plans regarding the next DAKSU election. While administrative officials cite logistical and legal challenges, student groups stress that continued postponement is no longer justifiable.
As the demand grows louder, many see the DAKSU election as a test case for the broader state of democratic values within educational institutions in Bangladesh. Students and observers alike are urging university leadership to act decisively and uphold the legacy of representative student politics that has long been a hallmark of Dhaka University’s history.
