Cucsu election roadmap next week, polls likely end of September
Cucsu executive committee now has 28 positions
Chittagong University's Central Students' Union (Cucsu) is set to release its election roadmap next week, with the vote likely to take place in the final week of September, according to university sources.
Chittagong University (CU) Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Kamal Uddin said that following approval of the Cucsu constitution, an election management committee has been formed and tasked with overseeing the polls.
"We expect the roadmap to be announced next week, with elections planned within September," he told The Business Standard.
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According to the university, the 559th Syndicate meeting on 1 August approved the new constitution. A 12-member Election Management Committee has since been formed, chaired by Chemistry Professor Monir Uddin, with Physics Professor AKM Ariful Haque Siddiqui as secretary.
Student lists from all 54 departments and institutes have been requested. The committee is expected to finalise the roadmap on Monday.
Prof Ariful Haque Siddiqui told TBS, "Lists have been submitted, though discrepancies were found. Corrected lists are arriving, and the committee will finalise all preparations in the next few days.
He added, "The election code of conduct draft has been prepared and will be shared with students. We hope to announce the election by Monday."
Dhaka University's (Ducsu) election is scheduled for 9 September, Jahangirnagar University's (Jacsu) for 11 September, and Rajshahi University's (Rucsu) for 15 September. With roadmaps already announced in these universities, the student election atmosphere is steadily building across campuses.
28 posts up for election
The new constitution emphasises the spirit of Bangladesh's independence movement, the 2024 student–public uprising, democracy, and religious values. It also aims to better represent students' rights, demands, and issues to university authorities.
The Cuscu executive committee now has 28 positions, including five executive members, down from 10 in the previous constitution. A maximum age of 30 has been set for candidates.
Twelve new posts have been added: research and innovation secretary and assistant secretary, science and ICT secretary and assistant secretary, health secretary and assistant secretary, communications and housing secretary and assistant secretary, office secretary and assistant secretary (for male students), and women's welfare secretary and assistant secretary.
The former social service and deputy social service positions have been restructured as social service, environment and human rights secretary and the corresponding deputy.
MPhil, PhD students eligible to vote
Under the new constitution, only regular, residential students of CU – including those pursuing undergraduate, master's, MPhil, or PhD courses – are eligible to vote or contest.
Evening, executive, diploma, certificate, language course students, and students of affiliated colleges are excluded. MPhil and PhD students holding teaching positions are also disqualified.
Meanwhile, the eligibility of MPhil and PhD students has sparked criticism.
On 12 August, JCD CU leaders alleged that despite prior consultations limiting candidacy to regular undergraduates and postgraduates, the revised constitution now includes higher-level students, raising questions about age limits and administrative impartiality.
Abdullah Al Noman, general secretary of CU Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal, told TBS that they will field a full panel, composed of creative students, activists, and supporters.
"However, our actions will consider the election environment. We have observed administrative double standards regarding MPhil and PhD students. Moreover, the current proctor shows clear bias towards a particular group, which raises questions about whether we should contest under his supervision," he said.
CU Islami Chhatra Shibir President Mohammad Ali said, "We are always prepared to contest. Our panel will include representatives from clubs, social organisations, activists, and students with special needs. Alliances may also be formed."
On the eligibility issue, Professor Md Kamal Uddin said, "According to the 1973 University Ordinance, MPhil and PhD students are regular students and have legal voting rights. However, those over 30 or holding teaching positions can't participate."
Cucsu was established in 1966. Since then, six elections have been held, the last in February 1990. Following the murder of student leader Farukuzzaman on 22 December 1990, the university administration suspended Cucsu activities.
