SYLHET — Sharp debate has erupted at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) since the announcement of the schedule for the student union (SAKSU) election. Under the announced schedule, voting is set for December 17, but a large section of students say the campus will be effectively empty of students by then.
Students said December 11 and 12 are the weekly holidays, December 14 is Martyred Intellectuals Day, and December 16 is Victory Day. After that five-day break, the long winter vacation will begin. As a result, most students will go home and voter turnout will drop to a bare minimum, they said.
Students demanded the vote be held December 10 instead, but the Election Commission has kept the date at December 17. Many have voiced dissatisfaction and announced a boycott.
Economics student Abrar Bin Selim wrote on social media: “Holding an election on December 17 on a student-empty campus is in no way acceptable. I am boycotting this kind of dummy election.” He said students would be willing to take part if a reasonable date was announced.
Mathematics student Sazzad Hossain said: “They talk about protecting students’ democratic rights, but the election date has been set when students will be on vacation. Despite our requests, the date was set outside the first week under pressure from a specific group.”
Computer Science and Engineering student Mustakim Billah said: “This election is being held after nearly three decades. Yet on December 17, no more than 10 to 15 percent of students will be on campus. The election will lack credibility under such conditions.” He said an application had been submitted to reschedule the vote to a time when student attendance can be ensured.
Chhatra Dal General Secretary Naim Sarker said preparing for the election in such a short period — from distributing nominations to scrutiny and campaigning — is even harder for non-residential students. In his view, holding the vote on December 10 is also unreasonable.
Chief Election Commissioner Professor Abul Mukit Mohammad Mokaddes said: “We want a participatory election. If we see that student attendance will be low on December 17, rescheduling can be considered. But the final decision will be made in consultation with the administration.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report