The Jahangirnagar University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union has urged the university administration to arrange the 11th Jucsu election before the tenure of the current committee ends.
The call came in a statement signed by General Secretary Faiyaz Ahmed Orko on Friday night. The statement noted that after 33 years of waiting and struggle, the 10th Jucsu election was held on 11 September last year. While expectations among students were high, the union alleged that dishonesty and manipulation by the administration prevented those hopes from being realised.
It accused the administration of bias and lack of neutrality from the outset, citing delays in announcing the election date, controversial voter list decisions, discriminatory treatment of candidates based on political identity, and financial irregularities under the guise of election arrangements.
The union claimed the administration illegally favoured certain political groups and repeatedly violated its own electoral guidelines, failing to carry out its responsibilities properly.
It further alleged that the administration resisted handing authority to students, the largest segment of the university community. Though attempts were made to derail the election amid student non‑cooperation, strong student demand eventually forced the vote.
However, the union said the election was designed to ensure results favorable to the administration.
According to the statement, the last Jucsu election was unequal in participation and riddled with irregularities. Some candidates were given undue advantages, while others were disqualified. On polling day, one of five panels boycotted the election, and allegations of irregularities also arose in tutorial elections. Citing these issues, the Bangladesh Chhatra Union withdrew from the election.
The union alleged that administrative negligence and mismanagement during the election led to the death of a teacher on duty, a responsibility the administration avoided. It added that a panel from the “anti‑Shibir” coalition banned by consensus of 22 campus organisations won the election.
The statement further claimed that after the election, victorious representatives attempted to undermine the university’s educational, cultural and coexistence environment, fostering division, hatred and violence based on political identity. As a result, misogyny, harassment, religious intolerance and fundamentalism spread on campus.
It added that over the past year, instead of fulfilling Jucsu’s core duties, superficial events were organised, leaving student problems unresolved. This, the union argued, damaged the progressive environment and sowed seeds of regression and fundamentalism.
The union called for a swift announcement of the roadmap for the 11th Jucsu election, completion of the vote within a set timeframe, formation of an election commission and related committees, preparation of the voter list, and necessary administrative and security measures including ballots.
It also demanded adherence to Jucsu rules and regulations to ensure regular elections and vowed to continue its movement to establish students’ democratic rights.
