Mixed reactions among student groups over age limit removal for DUCSU candidacy

Student organizations at the University of Dhaka have shown mixed reactions to the recent announcement by the DUCSU (Dhaka University Central Students' Union) Election Commission, which removed the age limit for candidacy in the upcoming student union election. According to the new directive, students can contest or vote in the DUCSU election even if they are 40 years old or older, provided they are officially enrolled—especially in MPhil or Master's programs.

The last DUCSU election was held on March 11, 2019. Since then, due to the pandemic, administrative indifference, and political obstacles, the student union remained inactive. However, following the student-led mass movement in July–August last year, the much-anticipated election is being revived. A 10-member election commission has already been formed, and the university administration is proceeding with preparations.

Chief Returning Officer Jasim Uddin recently declared that students enrolled in MPhil or Master’s programs can run for office regardless of being over 40 years of age.

Reacting to this decision, Mohiuddin Khan, Secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s DU chapter, said “Most university students are within a certain age range. We believe that contemporary leadership best represents their peers. A large age gap can create psychological distance, which may also hinder political awareness among students.”

Afsana Akter, Secretary of Islami Chhatri Sangstha’s DU unit, said “There is no age limit for DUCSU candidates this year, but there definitely should be. A generation gap leads to differences in thinking. It’s natural that a 40-year-old representative will not align with the thoughts of a 20-year-old first-year student. We think the age limit should not exceed 30.”

Saif Mohammad Alauddin, Secretary of Islami Chhatra Andolon’s DU branch, stated:
“DUCSU represents students, and representatives must understand and speak for the mindset of the students. A generation gap makes that difficult. Also, without an age cap, students might deliberately fail or delay graduation to retain student status. This undermines the academic process. That’s why an age barrier in DUCSU is essential.”

Bin Yamin Molla, President of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, remarked:
“I think 30 should be the maximum age considered standard. Beyond that, people’s thoughts are rarely centered around student life.”

Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury, Lead Organizer of Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (DU unit), said “We’ve long told the university administration that DUCSU candidates and voters should have a defined age limit and must be regular students. No one over 26 or 28 should be allowed to contest. But that didn’t happen. Many student leaders intentionally fail or delay graduation to extend their stay at the university and build political careers. We don’t view this positively. This may bring back hall domination and violent student politics. We condemn the new age rule.”

Jamal Uddin Muhammad Khalid, Convener of the Independent Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad, commented “Removing the age limit from DUCSU is already controversial. It was said to benefit students who enrolled at an older age or dropped out due to political repression. But how a 40-year-old qualifies under that clause is unclear to us.”

Mallick Wasi Uddin Tami, Office Secretary of the DU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing), offered a contrasting view
“No university in the world defines who is a student based on age. So, age should not be a criterion for student union elections. If it is, are older students then excluded from democratic participation? That would be undemocratic unless there's a separate student union for them.”

He added “Only voters should decide what kind of candidates they want to elect. Keeping this sentiment in mind, Chhatra Dal will finalize our candidate panel.”

Tami further said “The DUCSU and hall union constitutions should clearly define 'member', 'voter', and 'candidate'. In our reform proposals, we expected these definitions to come rationally from the faculty—but they didn’t. Instead, full-time students were favored, while others faced discrimination.”

He questioned “Don’t part-time students or those enrolled in non-honors, non-master’s, or non-MPhil programs have any democratic rights or claim to student union participation? Creating such discrimination without providing a separate platform is undemocratic.”

Mozammel Haque, Convener of the DU unit of the Socialist Student Front, stated “There is no age limit for education at Dhaka University. Anyone qualified can get admitted at any age. Therefore, the key criteria for being a DUCSU candidate or voter should be student enrollment, not age. Legal barriers based on age are illogical. However, if someone is manipulating their student status for political gain or to maintain control over halls, it is the duty of the students to resist such politics of dominance and violence.”