HC postpones SUCSU election for four weeks

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

The SUCSU election was scheduled to be held on Tuesday (20 Jan). However, following a writ petition, a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan issued the order on Monday.

Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, Barrister Rashna Imam, and Barrister Moniruzzaman Asad represented the petitioners during the hearing.

Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu appeared on behalf of the university, while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state.

After the hearing, Barrister Rashna Imam said the High Court had stayed the approval granted by the Election Commission for holding the SUCSU election for four weeks. As a result, the election scheduled for Tuesday will not take place.

She added that the election may be held on any day after the four-week period.

Earlier on Sunday (18 Jan), three students—including independent candidate Mominur Rashid Shubho—filed the writ petition with the relevant High Court branch, seeking a stay on the Shaksu and hall union elections.

The chief election commissioner and other concerned officials have been made respondents in the writ petition.

According to the petition, the Election Commission has issued directives to suspend all types of elections ahead of the national parliamentary election.

In this context, the petition argues that holding the SUCSU election would not be legally valid.