Bangladesh, Sept. 9 -- Dhaka University students are casting their ballots for the central and hall unions, marking the first DUCSU elections in six years -- and the first since the July Uprising reshaped national politics.

Nearly 40,000 students are eligible to vote at eight centres across the campus. Polling began at 8am on Tuesday in 810 booths and will continue without break until 4pm.

A total of 471 candidates are vying for 28 positions in the central union, while more than 1,000 are competing for 234 posts in 18 hall unions.

Alongside at least 10 formal panels, many independents are also in the fray.

This year's polls come at a time when no single student organisation dominates the campus, and there is no longer the influence of...