Students protest for SUST polls, issue warning

"If… the SUCSU polls are not held, that terrible decision will have a serious impact not only on this campus but also in the national arena," a candidate says

Students at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and the candidates vying for seats in its central student union (SUCSU) are continuing protests pushing for the polls.

They organised a protest outside the Administration Building-1 from 12:45pm on Tuesday, demanding a hearing at the chamber court on Tuesday and an announcement for polls to be held on Jan 21.

Independent general secretary candidate Faisal Hossain told bdnews24.com on Tuesday afternoon, "We must get an announcement declaring the SUCSU elections will be held on the 21st by [Tuesday].”

“Due to the national elections, there is no opportunity to organise the SUCSU from the 22nd. So, if the Chamber Court hearing is not held [on Tuesday], the consequences will be very dire."

The student protesters chanted slogans opposing the High Court’s decision to defer the polls for four weeks and calling for the election to be scheduled soon.

Independent general secretary candidate Faisal said, “If the elections are not held on the 21st, the SUStians will not accept it. If, for some reason, the SUCSU polls are not held, we warn you – that terrible decision will have a serious impact, not only on this campus, but also in the national arena.”

Vice presidential candidate Delwar Hasan Shishir, backed by the Islami Chhatra Shibir, said: “Our movement continues. No evil force, and no party will be able to stop SUCSU in building a new Bangladesh.

“If, for some reason, the SUCSU election is halted again due to legal disputes, then SUSTians know very well how to get it back.”