The Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have formed a five-member Election Preparation Committee to carry out preliminary tasks for the long-awaited Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) election instead of forming election commission.
The decision was confirmed on Tuesday through an office order issued by the university registrar's office,
"We cannot form the Election Commission at this moment as the JnUCSU regulation has not yet been approved," the Vice-Chancellor said. "However, a five-member Election Preparation Committee has been formed to carry out the initial groundwork for the election."
According to the office order, Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan, Chairman of the Department of Social Work, has been appointed convener of the committee.
University sources said the JnUCSU regulations, already approved by the University Syndicate, have been forwarded to the Ministry of Education through the University Grants Commission (UGC) for final approval. Once approved by the ministry committee, the regulation will be sent to the President for endorsement. The university administration expects the process to take around 15 more days.
Meanwhile, student leaders expressed disappointment and anger over the delay in final approval of the regulation and the subsequent postponement of the Election Commission formation.
AKM Rakib, President of JnU Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, said.
"The failure to get the JnUCSU regulation approved even after all this time clearly reflects their inefficiency. Announcing preparations for forming an Election Commission without passing the regulation is nothing but a delaying tactic, which we will not accept."
Riazul Islam, President of the Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jagannath University unit, said.
"The JnU administration has repeatedly failed to keep its promises. According to the roadmap, the Election Commission was supposed to be formed on October 8. If that doesn't happen, it will be a clear breach of commitment. Such continuous deception will erode their credibility among students."
Himel, Convenor of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jagannath University unit, stated.
"We have always been proactive in ensuring the timely conduct of the JnUCSU election. The administration's decision contradicts its earlier commitment to form the Election Commission on October 8. This clearly exposes their failure."
Earlier, on September 17, the university published the roadmap for the JnUCSU election, stating that implementation depended on approval of the regulation. As per the roadmap, the Election Commission was scheduled to be formed on October 8, with the election planned for November 27.
