JnU Central Students’ Union Poll on December 22

File photo: Jagannath University

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election will take place on 22 December, marking the return of a long-absent student leadership platform on campus. The election schedule was formally announced by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr Mostafa Hasan during a briefing held at the university’s Teachers’ Lounge.

According to the announced timeline, preparations begin immediately with the draft voter list set to be published tomorrow. Students will have the opportunity to file objections and corrections between 9 and 11 November, after which the final list of eligible voters will be released on 12 November.

Distribution of nomination forms will run from 13 to 17 November, with candidates required to submit forms on 17 and 18 November. Verification of nomination papers will take place on 19 and 20 November, followed by the publication of the preliminary list of candidates on 23 November. Any objections to candidacies will be heard and resolved from 24 to 26 November.

In line with guidelines aimed at preventing the influence of drugs in student leadership, all candidates will undergo mandatory dope testing from 27 to 30 November. The final list of candidates will then be released on 3 December.

Candidates wishing to withdraw will be able to do so between 4 and 8 December, with the withdrawal list being published on 9 December. Formal campaigning will also begin on the same day and continue up to 19 December.

Voting will be held on 22 December, and the ballots will be counted the same day. The final results are expected to be officially announced by 23 December.

The Chief Election Commissioner did not respond to questions following the announcement, but student groups have already begun discussions on forming panels, selecting campaign strategies, and outlining key issues to take to voters.

With the return of the Central Students’ Union election, expectations are high that the campus will once again see organised student representation on academic, administrative, and welfare matters. Many students see the election as an opportunity to revive active student voice on campus governance and campus life.