JnUCSU elections scheduled for November 27

Jagannath University (JnU) is set to hold the first-ever elections to its Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) on November 27, the university administration announced on Wednesday (September 17).

According to a notification signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, the election process will officially begin on October 8 with the formation of the Election Commission and a consultation meeting with student organisations, journalist bodies, and other stakeholders. The subsequent steps will include the election schedule, preparation of the voter list, submission and scrutiny of nomination papers, and other formalities.

The announcement comes in response to a series of student protests and demands, including the declaration of a JnUCSU election roadmap, implementation of supplementary scholarships, and improved campus facilities such as subsidised cafeteria services and an upgraded central library.

Although the administration issued statements addressing the scholarship and cafeteria issues, several protesting students rejected the assurances, saying the decisions lacked clarity. “There are loopholes in the administration’s statement. Details on who will receive scholarships or how much will be allocated remain unclear,” said protesting student Shahin Mia, who added that they would not withdraw from their hunger strike until all demands were explicitly addressed.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim said the administration had already provided written commitments to fulfil the students’ demands, including holding the JnUCSU polls on November 27. “I personally requested the hunger strikers to end their protest, but they refused,” he said.

On Tuesday, five student leaders from the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad began a hunger strike pressing for the roadmap. Later, they met with University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz, who assured them that supplementary scholarship funds would be allocated in November and that a JUCSU policy would soon be finalised in the form of rules.