Protests erupted at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) late Monday night after the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) announcement that banned elections of any organisation or association, including professional bodies, across the country ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12.
Following reports published in national newspapers, tensions spread across the campus.
Students came out of their residential halls and marched in processions from four directions before gathering in front of the SUST Central Students’ Union (Sucsu) office.
During the demonstration, protesters chanted slogans demanding the student union election be held on schedule and accused authorities of unnecessary delays.
Sust unit General Secretary of Chhatra Dal, Naim Sarker, said universities are autonomous institutions with the authority to make their own decisions. He warned that accepting the EC’s directive would signal that the university administration is not student-friendly.
Meanwhile, Sust unit Chhatra Shibir Secretary, Masud Rana Tuhin, alleged repeated delays in announcing the Sucsu election. He said the vice-chancellor had initially promised polls in the second week of November, later fixing November 17 as the date. After protests, the date was rescheduled to January 20.
Tuhin further claimed that election officials had earlier assured that the national election would not affect the Shaksu polls, but the latest EC directive has effectively suspended all elections nationwide.
The protesters reiterated their demand that the Sucsu election be held on January 20 and vowed to continue their movement until the demand is met.
The Sucsu election was scheduled for January 20, and candidates have already begun campaigning.
