JU goes eight years without registered graduate election

Despite a statutory requirement to hold elections every three years, Jahangirnagar University (JU) has failed to conduct its registered graduate election for the past eight years, raising concerns about governance and representation in the university's highest decision-making body.

According to Section 19(1)(i) of the JU Ordinance, 1973, elections for registered graduate representatives to the Senate must be held every three years. However, the last election was held on December 30, 2017, and the tenure of those elected expired in 2020. No election has been conducted since.

As a result, 25 registered graduate representatives-whose terms have already expired-continue to participate in Senate sessions, including the election of the Vice-Chancellor.

The university Senate, established under the 1973 Ordinance, consists of 93 members from various categories. Of them, 25 are elected from the registered graduate body.

Prior to the 2017 election, the voter list of registered graduates was updated. Since then, the university administration has made several attempts to update the list, but the process remains incomplete.

Deputy Registrar (Education) Syed Mohammad Ali Reza said, "The issue has been discussed with the administration. If a decision is made to restart the process, we will begin work accordingly."

JUCSU Vice-President Abdur Rashid Jitu said, "We raised the issue at the fourth executive meeting of JUCSU. The administration has assured us that work on this will begin very soon."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Kamrul Ahsan said, "We will hold the elections in phases after consulting all stakeholders. Such decisions should not be taken unilaterally."

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