The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election may take place early next year, possibly in January or February, according to the university's Proctor and Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed. Speaking to journalists at his office on Sunday, Ahmed noted that the university administration is seriously considering organizing the long-awaited election within this timeframe.

The proctor emphasized the significance of the DUCSU election, stating that it is crucial for the administration to better understand students’ concerns and viewpoints. He acknowledged that having a functional student union would streamline this process. However, he also highlighted certain obstacles, particularly related to the need for reforms in the DUCSU constitution. Several student organizations have raised objections to the existing framework, underlining the necessity for changes before an election can take place.

Calls for DUCSU elections have been a longstanding demand among Dhaka University students. The last election was held in 1990, during a politically turbulent period that saw the fall of the Ershad government. At the time, DUCSU leaders played a pivotal role in the pro-democracy movement. However, the shift to a parliamentary government system resulted in the suspension of DUCSU elections, with political influence from ruling parties contributing to a three-decade-long hiatus.

In 2012, 25 Dhaka University students filed a writ petition in the High Court demanding the revival of DUCSU elections. Subsequent years saw continued advocacy for the election, including protests and hunger strikes by students. During the university's 50th convocation in 2017, then-President Abdul Hamid stressed the urgency of holding DUCSU elections to prevent a leadership vacuum among future generations.

Despite court orders in 2018 directing the university to organize elections, the DU authorities delayed implementation. Legal action followed, with petitioners accusing the administration of contempt of court. These efforts eventually culminated in an announcement that DUCSU elections would be held by March 2019.

The election finally took place in February 2019, marking a historic moment. Nurul Haque Nur, a candidate from the Bangladesh General Students’ Rights Protection Council, was elected Vice President (VP), defeating the ruling party-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) candidate Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon. Despite this success, DUCSU elections have not been held since, leaving a leadership void within the student body.

In recent months, following the fall of the Awami League government in a student-led uprising on August 5, renewed demands for DUCSU elections have emerged. This time, however, the focus is on reforming the DUCSU constitution to address structural issues raised by student groups. Whether these reforms will be enacted and elections held as planned early next year remains to be seen. The upcoming months will be crucial in determining the future of student representation at Dhaka University.