Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have threatened to enforce a complete shutdown of the campus unless the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and Hall Union elections are held before the upcoming national parliamentary election.
The warning came during a press conference held on Wednesday noon, January 21, in front of the university’s central library, where protesting candidates and students reiterated their demand for immediate arrangements to hold the long-awaited student union elections.
Independent SUCSU GS candidate Faisal Hossain said that students and candidates had already invested significant time, money, and effort in the election process. Following a High Court order staying the election, the university authorities filed an appeal with the Chamber Judge Court.
As the Election Commission has granted permission for the SUCSU elections, he said there remains a strong legal basis to proceed.
He further said that they have a demand. The demand is that the Election Commission’s regulation barring elections within 21 days of a national parliamentary election must be relaxed to allow the SUCSU polls to take place.
Faisal also noted that the university’s appeal has not yet been included in the Chamber Judge Court’s cause list for hearing.
Delwar Hasan Shishir, VP candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel Durbar SUSTian Oikko, said students from 28 academic departments had announced a boycott of classes and examinations in support of the demand.
He added that all academic activities would remain suspended until the elections are held, warning that a “complete shutdown” programme would be launched if the issue remains unresolved.
Among others, Mostakim Billah, VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel Sommilito SUSTian Oikko, independent GS candidate Palash Bakhtiar, along with candidates from various panels, supporters, and general students were present at the press conference.
Voting for the SUCSU election was scheduled for Tuesday, January 21. The High Court stayed the election for four weeks after two candidates and a student filed a writ petition on Monday, January 20.
Following three consecutive days of protests, students from all departments announced a boycott of classes and examinations on Tuesday night.
SH Jahid/MHK