JnUcsu elections rescheduled for Jan 6 after hours of student protests

Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUcsu) and hall union elections have been rescheduled for January 6, university authorities announced today following hours of student protests on campus.

The decision was taken at an emergency syndicate meeting held amid mounting demonstrations.

Earlier this morning, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rezaul Karim announced the postponement of the scheduled elections, expressing condolences over the death of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He said the decision was taken at an emergency syndicate meeting, and the formal announcement was made around 9:15am.

Following the announcement, agitated students and candidates began protesting across the campus. They laid siege to the vice-chancellor's office and continued demonstrations for several hours, demanding that the elections be held immediately.

The postponement was announced through a press release issued by the university's election commission this morning. Soon after the notice was made public, students gathered in front of the VC building, chanting slogans and staging a blockade in protest.

Protesting students said the postponement was unacceptable, especially after years of demands for the elections. They insisted that the polls must be held today.

Mahmudul Hasan, a student of the Department of Sociology from the 2023–24 academic session, said, "The JnUcsu election is our most vital demand. We want the election to be held at any cost, and the authorities must comply."

Another student, Nasuma Tasnim, said, "This is the first central students' union election in the history of Jagannath University. By postponing it, the administration has acted unfairly toward students. Students came to campus in cold weather to cast their votes, and postponement of the election at the last moment is extremely disappointing."

Amid the growing protests, the university administration convened another syndicate meeting later in the day.

Speaking after the meeting, VC Rezaul assured students, saying, "We respect the emotions of the students. Although the election was postponed due to the prevailing situation, a new date has been fixed at the earliest possible time in response to students' demands. The JnUcsu and hall union elections will now be held on January 6."