Uncertainty is growing over whether follow-up elections will be held on time for five student unions elected at Bangladesh’s public universities after the 2024 revolution. The terms of four unions at Dhaka, Jahangirnagar, Chittagong and Rajshahi universities end in September and October, while Jagannath University’s union term ends next January. Student leaders say university administrations have shown limited progress toward announcing new election schedules.

The student unions were revived after demands from general students and student organisations, and candidates backed by ইসলামী ছাত্রশিবির won most positions in the five elections. Leaders of the unions say they have pursued student services and campus improvements, but allege that administrative obstacles and lack of cooperation have hampered implementation. Student Dal says it supports regular union elections and expects to win future contests.

At Dhaka University, union representatives demanded an election schedule by September 12, while the vice-chancellor said a preliminary cell had been formed and a schedule would be announced soon. Elections at Shahjalal University remain stalled in court, while polls at BUET, Bangladesh Agricultural University and Begum Rokeya University face separate obstacles including political restrictions, constitutional disputes and administrative delays.