“Shaksu election postponed for four weeks”

The High Court has postponed the election of the Central Students’ Union (SHACSU) and hall unions of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet for four weeks.

The SHACSU election was scheduled to be held tomorrow, 20 January. On Monday (19 January), a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan passed the order.

Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, Barrister Rashna Imam, and Barrister Moniruzzaman Asad represented the petitioners during the hearing, while Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu appeared on behalf of the university. Additional Attorney General Aneek R. Haque represented the state.

Barrister Rashna Imam said that the High Court has suspended the approval granted by the Election Commission for the SHACSU election for four weeks. As a result, the SHACSU election will not be held tomorrow (Tuesday). The election may be held on any day after the four-week period.

Earlier, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking a stay on the SHACSU and hall union elections. Three students, including independent candidate Mominur Rashid Shuvo, filed the writ petition with the relevant branch of the High Court. The Chief Election Commissioner and other concerned parties were made respondents in the petition.

The writ stated that the Election Commission has issued a directive to suspend all types of elections ahead of the national parliamentary election. In such a situation, allowing the SHACSU election to take place would not be lawful.