JKKNIU students end hunger strike after VC unveils roadmap for student’s union

JKKNIU Correspondent: 

Students of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) on Sunday called off their hunger strike unto death after the university authorities announced a roadmap to hold long-awaited student’s union elections.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, following discussions with the protesters in front of the university’s administrative building, formally unveiled the election roadmap and symbolically offered juice to striking students, marking the end of their fast.

According to the roadmap, a draft constitution for the student’s union will be prepared by September 15 and sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for approval. Once the UGC clears it and the government issues a gazette, the formal electoral process will begin.

Within three working days of the gazette, an election commission will be formed, followed by a code of conduct within five days. The voter list will then be prepared and finalised in 15 days, after which the election schedule will be announced within five working days.

Subsequently, all nomination-related procedures including submission, scrutiny, and publication of candidate lists will be completed in 16 days. Candidates will then have a 10-day window for campaigning.

The entire electoral process is expected to be completed by December 11.

“The student’s union election is very significant for the university. It will allow students to choose their own representatives,” VC Jahangir Alam said, urging patience and responsibility from the student community. “The university administration is sincerely committed to organising the election.”

Following the announcement, the students demanded that the polls be held at the earliest possible time after the gazette is published a demand the administration agreed to honour.