Protests over suspension of SUCSU election: What the commission says

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) staged overnight protests and processions against the Election Commission (EC) decision to suspend all elections, including students’ union polls, until February 12 ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliament election. The campus turned turbulent late into the night.

The SUCSU election commission says all kinds of preparations have been made to hold the election. Though no formal letter has been received, they have learnt about the EC decision to suspend all elections. They will sit with the authorities concerned and take a decision. They also said they want to hold the election.

Around 11 pm on Monday (January 12), students gathered in front of the university’s IICT building and held a spontaneous protest programme. At that time, they said postponing the long-suspended students’ union election further citing the national election amounts to ignoring students’ democratic rights.

The protesters demanded immediate withdrawal of the EC announcement. They also warned of tougher programmes if the demand is not met. As the students’ agitation heated up, members of the election commission arrived at the protest site at one stage.

At that time, Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr Abul Mukit Mohammad Mukaddes said, “We have learnt from several media sources today that students’ union election along with all kinds of elections have been suspended until February 12. But no official letter has reached us yet. We will inform after talking with the university administration and Bangladesh Election Commission.”

He further said, “We have completed all preparations for SUCSU election. We want to hold the SUCSU election on time.”