Dhaka University Teachers’ Association Election Stalled Nearly Two Years

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The Dhaka University Teachers’ Association has been without a fully functioning elected executive committee since February 2025, after most members resigned and no new elections have been held. This leadership vacuum, fueled by political rivalries and administrative delays, has stalled democratic processes and left faculty without effective representation amid ongoing governance concerns.

The Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has been without a fully functioning elected executive committee for nearly two years, following the expiration of the previous committee’s term at the end of 2024 and the subsequent resignation of most of its members. The last election for the association was held on December 1, 2023, when Prof Nizamul Hoque Buiyan was elected president and Prof Zeenat Huda general secretary. Their one-year term officially ended on December 31, 2024. However, in February 2025, 11 of the 15 committee members, including the vice-president and treasurer, resigned amid concerns about maintaining a majority, leaving the organization without effective leadership.

According to the DUTA constitution, a new election should be announced annually in December, but this process has not occurred, contributing to the ongoing delay. Some teachers have faulted the university administration and active teacher groups for the failure to schedule fresh elections. The administration is currently reviewing faculty appointments made from 2009 to 2024 as part of a broader evaluation of the university’s staffing and governance practices.

Conflicts within the teaching community appear to be a significant factor in the stalled election process. Teachers aligned with the so-called white panel, often associated with opposition and including supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have expressed concerns over a lack of transparency and impartiality in disciplinary and inquiry proceedings initiated by the university. They allege that many committees investigating teachers have been formed non-transparently, raising questions about fairness.

The electoral landscape is also influenced by political affiliations among faculty. The white panel representatives have pointed to the dominance of the blue panel—known to be affiliated with the ruling Awami League party—citing recent election results where the blue panel secured almost all seats, winning 14 of 15 posts. This political environment has reportedly complicated the white panel’s prospects in any forthcoming elections, causing further tension.

In response to the current deadlock, white panel leader Morshed Hasan Khan indicated that discussions are underway regarding the establishment of an ad hoc committee to manage affairs temporarily, with the aim of holding elections in December. Concerns persist that democratic practices within the university have been disrupted since widespread unrest in July, resulting in multiple officials holding acting positions and a perception that recent recruitment favors partisan interests.

The lack of an elected DUTA executive for an extended period has left many faculty members without a clear platform to raise issues related to alleged harassment, accountability, and governance at Dhaka University. Both sides acknowledge the need to resolve the election impasse, but political divisions and administrative delays continue to hinder progress.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.