Because of the strike called by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) to protest the grenade attacks, the DU election commission could not send the list of candidates to the teachers on time, which is five days to the election date -- a procedure mandatory under the DU rule. Some 1,100 teachers are expected to cast their votes.

"We tried our best to send out the list. But most departments and institutes were closed because of the strike," said Syed Rashidul Hassan, DU treasurer and chief of the election commission.

The syndicate changed the elections date in a meeting on August 26.

The two-year tenure of the syndicate expired in April. Although the authorities attempted to hold the elections several times, teachers' internal politics prevented all attempts.

DU teachers will elect six members to the syndicate in the voting that will take place from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

Two panels of teachers -- Blue backed by the Awami league (AL) and White backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- are contesting the polls.

The white panel candidates are Prof Sadrul Amin, Dr Tajmeri Selima Akther Islam, Prof. Abul Khair, Dr Borhan Uddin Khan), Dr. Muhammad Rafiqul Islam and Mohammad Alamgir Hossain Shamrat.

Blue panel candidates are Prof. RIM Aminur Rashid, Prof. Nasrin Ahmed, Prof Kazi Shahidullah, Associate Professor Sadeka Halim, Assistant Professor Sikder Monwar Morshed and Dr Rahmat Ullah.

White Panel leader and Provost of Shahidullah Hall Prof. Abul Khair told The Daily Star that his panel would expand teachers' facilities and discipline the administration.

Blue Panel leader and Dean of Science Faculty Prof. RIM Aminur Rashid told The Daily Star that his panel's first target would be to bring back the glorious past of the university.

"We want to uphold the university rules and regulations and interest of teachers and students," Prof Rashid said, adding that his panel would provide more facilities to the teachers.