THE University of Dhaka authorities’ decision to deploy the army as a ‘striking force’ during the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections, scheduled for September 9, is both humiliating and alarming. The announcement came at an exchange of views between the returning officers and the candidates for the positions of vice-president, general secretary and assistant general secretary on August 26. Such a decision is humiliating not only for the university authorities but also for the students, for it undermines the democratic aspirations of both the sides and belittles their ability to organise and oversee students’ union elections. A large number of candidates have rightly criticised the decision, terming the decision ‘exaggerated,’ ‘controversial’ and ‘humiliating.’ They have, instead, and rightfully, urged the authorities to formulate a code of conduct for candidates and voters and to take adequate measures, with student participation, to ensure free and fair elections. It is understandable that much excitement and anticipation surround the DUCSU elections and that rivalries between different panels remain intense. Yet, this does not justify the deployment of the army. Furthermore, if Dhaka University proceeds with such a measure, will Jahangirnagar University and the University of Rajshahi follow suit during the JUCSU and RUCSU elections, scheduled for September 11 and 28?
While there are provisions for, and many precedents of, army deployment during national emergencies or extraordinary circumstances, students’ union election can in no way be construed as such an emergency. The deployment of the army in the university election is problematic on multiple grounds. Given the history and continuing record of tension between the army and university students, the decision is fraught with risks. A single incident of confrontation between students and army personnel during the polls could ignite a chain of clashes and further unrest, an eventuality that would be detrimental to the fragile democratic transition of the country. Since the fall of the authoritarian Awami League regime in August 2024, in the wake of the July uprising, the nation has stood at a crossroads. The potential for fresh tension and disruption remains high and the agents of instability are visibly present everywhere. What has so far been reassuring is that despite evident signs of fragility and cracks, a degree of harmony between different sections of the state and society still persists and such harmony remains the only viable route towards a smooth democratic transition. It is, therefore, incumbent on the government to act with caution and to ensure that this precarious balance is not jeopardised.
Deploying the army in students’ union election is, therefore, not a prudent action. It reflects poorly on the competence of the university authorities, demeans democratic aspirations and capacities of both students and administrators and, if events were to take a wrong turn, could destabilise the trajectory of the nation’s next phase.