After more than three decades, Jahangirnagar University has announced the long-awaited schedule for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students` Union (JUCSU) election, with the polls set for July 31.
The announcement came from Vice Chancellor Professor Kamrul Ahsan on Wednesday noon, during a press briefing held in the university’s administrative council room. Following his remarks, Chief Election Commissioner and English department professor Maniruzzaman formally unveiled the election schedule.
“In accordance with Section 8(b) of the JUCSU Constitution, voting for both the central union and Hall Parliaments will take place on July 31 from 9am to 5pm,” said the VC. He also pledged to ensure justice for those affected during the recent July student protests, vowing accountability for attacks on students, teachers, officials, and staff.
Election Commissioner Maniruzzaman announced that a draft voter list and the election code of conduct will be published on May 12. Students will have until May 21 to raise objections or provide feedback. The final voter list and approved code of conduct will be released on June 30.
Nomination papers can be collected between July 1 and 3, and submissions will be accepted through July 7. Following scrutiny, the preliminary list of candidates will be announced on July 9, with the deadline for withdrawal set for July 14. The final candidate list will be published on July 15, leading up to the election on July 31.
Before the schedule was announced, a 10-hour meeting took place Tuesday evening at the Senate Hall, involving student representatives from all departments and organizations. After lengthy discussions on ensuring a fair electoral atmosphere, the university administration agreed to declare the election schedule early Wednesday morning at 5:30am.
Since its inception in 1972, JUCSU has held only eight elections. The last one took place in 1992 during the BNP government, electing Masud Hasan Talukder as vice president and Shamsul Tabriz as general secretary. On July 29, 1993, following a student attack on the Teachers’ Club, the administration dissolved the JUCSU and hall parliaments, and no elections were held until now.
