The campaign for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections has gained momentum, with candidates reaching out to voters in classrooms, faculties, Bot Tola, Murad Chattar, Shaheed Minar, and residential dormitories. The election spirit is now visible throughout the campus.
Female participation is notable, with 45 out of 182 candidates contesting for various posts, including reserved seats. They are presenting their own election manifestos to the voters. However, no woman is contesting for the top post of Vice President (VP), while two are competing for the second-highest position in the JUCSU elections.
Syeda Ananya Faria from the Department of Law and Justice is running as an independent candidate for the post of General Secretary in the JUCSU elections, while Tanjila Hossain Boishakhi from the Department of Government and Politics is contesting on the panel backed by the JCD.
Soma Dumri from the Department of Archaeology is contesting for the position of Environment and Nature Conservation Affairs Secretary, while Igimi Chakma from the Department of Drama and Dramatics is running for the post of Drama Secretary. Irin Sultana Ankhi from the Department of Bangla is vying for the role of Social Service and Human Resource Development Affairs Secretary, and Labiba Mubashshira from the Department of Biochemistry is contesting for Health and Food Safety Affairs Secretary.
The women’s reserved seat for Joint General Secretary in the JUCSU elections has drawn candidates from a wide range of disciplines, including Ayesha Siddika Meghla from Philosophy, Anjuman Ara Iqra from Computer Science and Engineering, Lamia Rahman Taishi from English, Faria Zaman from Anthropology, Maliha Namlah from Journalism and Media Studies, and Sohagi Samia Jannatul Ferdous from Drama and Dramatics. Their academic backgrounds cover both science and humanities, reflecting not only strong female representation but also the diverse engagement of women across different faculties in student politics.
Tanjila Hossain Boishakhi, a General Secretary candidate from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal backed panel, remarked that the JUCSU elections, being held after 33 years, have generated strong enthusiasm among both candidates and voters. She noted that a lively election atmosphere now prevails on campus, with voters showing greater interest and support than anticipated.
“There are attempts to sabotage the student council elections by creating anarchy in various campuses. If such a conspiracy is hatched in Jahangirnagar, we will stop it along with the students. We are very optimistic about the administratin regarding the JUCSU elections,” she added.
Ayesha Siddika Meghla, a female Assistant General Secretary candidate from the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir backed panel, stated that although women make up half of the university’s student body, many lack a proper platform to express their demands.
She expressed her desire to represent them, serve as their voice, and work alongside them, while also emphasizing her commitment to creating an inclusive campus for students of all religions, castes, and ideologies.
