The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is set to hold its long-awaited central students’ union election in the second week of November, after more than two decades.

SUST Vice-Chancellor Prof AM Sarwaruddin Chowdhury confirmed the matter today (14 September), saying that an election commission will be formed within the next two to three days.

“Students’ union elections are held at every university with spontaneous participation of students. We expect the SUST students’ union polls to be held soon. But the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially students and student leaders, is essential. If clashes occur or academic activities are hampered, it will be damaging,” the VC said.

He further expressed hope that alongside their studies, students will join the election in a festive mood. “Through this, students will elect their representatives, who will convey their demands to the administration and work to realise them,” he added.

Regarding the timing, the VC noted that semester final examinations are currently ongoing and are expected to conclude by mid-October.

“We are planning to organise the election in the second week of November,” he said, adding that the election commission will publish a complete roadmap once it is formed.

He also mentioned that the constitution for hall unions, which remains unfinished, will be finalised ahead of the polls.

According to the university administration, the last central students’ union election at SUST was held in 1997.

Before that, three students’ union polls had been held since 1993. The union has remained inactive for the past 28 years.