The authorities of Chattogram University have finally announced the schedule for the Chattogram University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) after long 35 years.
The election is set to take place on October 12.
The announcement was made at 3pm on Thursday at the auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, where the Election Commission formally unveiled the timeline. Elections will be held for both the central CUCSU and the hall unions this time.
According to the declared schedule, nomination papers can be collected on September 14 and 15; the deadline for submission of nomination papers is September 17; scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on September 18, and the final list of candidates will be published on September 25 and voting will be held on October 12.
A total of 25,752 students have been listed as eligible voters for this year’s CUCSU election. The Election Commission is comprised of 11 members, with Professor Dr Monir Uddin, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, serving as the Chief Election Commissioner.
Other members include Dr Mohammad Tayeb Chowdhury, dean, Faculty of Business Administration; Dr Md Afrullah Talukder, dean, Faculty of Law; Dr Md Anwar Hossain, director, Student Counseling and Guidance; Dr Mohammad Zahedur Rahman Chowdhury, professor, Institute of Marine Sciences; Assistant Professor Golam Hossain Habib, Department of English; Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed and Professor Dr Amir Mohammad Nasrullah, Department of Public Administration.
Prof Dr AKM Ariful Haque Siddique, provost of Shahid Abdur Rob Hall and member secretary of the Election Commission, has conducted the event.
He said, “We have already received the draft voter list from 54 departments, which includes 25,752 students. Elections will also be held in 14 residential halls. The university’s IT department will make all election-related information available online. The election will be conducted according to the constitution provided to the Commission.”
Chief Election Commissioner Dr Monir Uddin said, “This marks the first phase of the election process. Our commission includes two deans, two provosts, the student adviser, and the director of CUCSU. After reviewing the draft voter list, we will finalize it. Following nomination submission and withdrawals, we will announce the final list of candidates.”
He also explained that the voting date was chosen for October since the university typically remains closed during the last week of September, ensuring that all students will be present.
The event was attended by Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Yeahia Akhter and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Dr Md Kamal Uddin. Professor Mohammad Zahedur Rahman Chowdhury is serving as the Director of CUCSU.
Meanwhile, Chattogram University held its first CUCSU election in 1970, four years after the university’s establishment in 1966. Although elections were meant to be held annually, only six elections have taken place to date. The last CUCSU election was held on February 8, 1990.