The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election will be held on January 20, as scheduled. However, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) required all candidates to sign a pledge form containing specific conditions. On January 13, vice president candidates from various panels confirmed that they had collectively rejected this requirement and decided instead to submit a memorandum expressing their commitment to a peaceful and disciplined election.

According to the EC’s proposal, the pledge form included three conditions: that the ShakSU election would have no link to the national election, would not influence it adversely, and would not lead to any deterioration of law and order. The university administration had instructed candidates to include their names, mobile numbers, and positions in the signed document. Candidates from panels supported by different student groups argued that ensuring non-violence was the responsibility of the administration and the EC, not the contestants.

After prolonged discussions with the acting vice-chancellor and other officials, all candidates agreed to submit a memorandum instead of signing the EC’s pledge form, reaffirming their cooperation in conducting a fair and festive election.