JUCSU Election Set for 31 July After 32 Years

For the first time in over three decades, Jahangirnagar University is set to hold elections to its Central Students’ Union (JUCSU), marking a major milestone in restoring student representation on campus. The long-awaited election will take place on 31 July, with polling scheduled from 9am to 5pm, followed by same-day counting and result announcement.

The university authorities have indicated that members of the Bangladesh Army may be deployed on campus if needed to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.

The official schedule was unveiled around 1:30am on Thursday at the university’s administrative council room by Chief Election Commissioner and English Department professor, Moniruzzaman. He was joined by Election Commission Secretary and Proctor Prof AKM Rashidul Alam, and commission members Prof Md Lutful Elahi (History) and Prof Rezwana Karim Snigdha (Anthropology).

According to the announced timeline, the draft voter list and electoral code of conduct will be published on 12 May. Students will be able to submit objections to the draft voter list and suggestions on the code of conduct until 5pm on 21 May. The final versions will be released on 30 June.

Nomination papers can be collected from 1 July and must be submitted by 7 July. The preliminary list of candidates will be published on 9 July following scrutiny. Appeals against rejected nominations will be heard on 13 July. The final candidate list is due on 15 July, while campaigning will run from 16 to 28 July. Any candidates elected unopposed will also be announced on 16 July.

Proctor Rashidul Alam said the campus would be brought under CCTV surveillance and guarded strictly to prevent the intrusion of outsiders and maintain law and order. "We are fully committed to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election," he said, adding that deployment of security forces, including the army, would be considered if necessary.

Earlier, at 11:45pm on Wednesday, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Ahsan announced in a press briefing at the university’s new administrative building that both JUCSU and hall union elections would be held simultaneously on 31 July, in line with Article 8(b) of the JUCSU constitution.

Calling the announcement a “historic milestone,” the VC said, “Students have long been excluded from the university Senate. This election will bring five elected student representatives into the highest decision-making body of the university.”

Pro-Vice Chancellors Prof Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman (education) and Prof Sohel Ahmed (administration), Treasurer Prof Abdur Rob, and other senior officials were present during the announcement.

The move follows a university-wide discussion titled ‘Environment Council: JUCSU Election 2025,’ held on Tuesday at the Senate Hall to assess electoral readiness. Faculty, institute representatives, and student organisation leaders took part in the event.

The last JUCSU election was held in 1992. It was suspended the following year due to syndicate unrest, and since its formation in 1973, the union has seen only eight elections in total.