JU gears up for first Jucsu polls in 33yrs

As the long-anticipated Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) elections gets closer, student organisations have stepped up preparations with panel discussions, nomination collection, and possible alliances.

The election is scheduled for September 11. The Election Commission began distributing nomination forms for Jucsu and hall elections on August 18. According to the schedule, forms can be collected until 2:00pm on August 21 and must submitted by 4:00pm the same day.

So far, 328 students have collected nomination forms -- 87 for Jucsu and 241 for hall unions, said Election Commission Member Secretary Prof AKM Rashidul Alam.

A total of 25 posts will be contested in the Jucsu election, including six reserved seats for women. The total number of voters is 11,919.

Although the official campaign will begin on August 29, student bodies are already preparing and discussing panels.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's JU unit convener Jahir Uddin Mohammad Babor said his organisation would announce a full panel for both Jucsu and hall elections on August 21.

He said their candidates were collecting forms and that they had been working towards Jucsu for the past three months.

He added that candidates from cultural and sports backgrounds may also be included.

Sources said Sheikh Sadi, Tanjila Hossain Boishakhi, Rubel Hossain, and Mehadi Emon might contest top positions from the Chhatra Dal panel.

Outgoing JU Chhatra Union president Amartya Ray said his faction would form an alliance with Jahangirnagar Sanskrit Jote, a socio-political coalition of nine organisations that includes cultural bodies, artists, writers, and activists from the university.

He added that discussions were also ongoing with Biplobi Chhatra Moitree and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist).

From their panel, Prapti Taposi, Sharan Ehsan, Irfanul Islam Iftu, and Faiza Mehzabin Priontee are expected to contest top posts.

Amartya noted that although they might not field a full panel for hall elections, they would extend support to like-minded candidates.

Another faction of Chhatra Union, led by Jahidul Islam Emon, plans to ally with theatre activist and former Students Against Discrimination coordinator Mahfuz Islam Megh as well as general students involved in the July movement

Emon said, "I may contest for general secretary while Megh may contest for vice president."

Megh said even if they cannot form a full panel, they will contest vital posts.

Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad Convener Arifuzzaman Uzzuwal said they would field a full panel.

He said he might contest for vice president while Touhid Mohammad Siam might run for general secretary.

He also mentioned that among women candidates, Maliha Namla, Fatematuz Zohra, and Farhana Binte Jigar Farina may contest key positions.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has already finalised its student and hall-level panels, said office secretary Mazharul Islam.

He said they were also in talks with like-minded student groups who were active in the July uprising.

From their panel, Mazharul Islam, Shafayet Mir, Ferdous Al Hasan, and Ayesha Siddiqa Meghla might contest top posts.

Abdur Rashid Zitu, convener of Gono Obhuthan Rokkha Andolon and former central coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination, is likely to contest for the vice president post independently. "I will definitely vie for the VP post. Whether I will join a panel is still undecided," he said.

Despite the momentum, almost all student bodies expressed concern that Awami League-leaning teachers and those accused of aiding the attacks on protesting students during the July uprising still hold key administrative roles. They fear this could affect the fairness of the election. Some candidates have also raised questions about the Election Commission's capacity.

Earlier, the university administration pledged to ensure justice by August 31 against teachers, officials, and staff accused of involvement in the attacks on protesting students during the July uprising.

Student bodies also expressed concern that non-students who have already graduated but continue to occupy dormitory seats illegally could exert pressure on the election process.

According to JU Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam, around 1,500 graduates are still staying in the halls illegally. "The university authorities are working to evict illegal occupants from dormitories and will take more stringent action soon."

VOTER LIST DISCREPANCY

Of the 11,919 voters, 6,102 are male and 5,817 are female. A review of the hall-based voter lists showed irregularities, including names of expelled Chhatra League activists, deceased students, dropouts, and students who left for abroad without completing their studies.

Election Commission Member Secretary Prof Rashidul Alam said they had received four complaints and would decide on them in a meeting. "The commission is committed to holding a fair and credible election."

The last Jucsu election was held in 1992.