At least seven panels are likely to contest the Jahangirnagar University Central Students鈥� Union elections, scheduled for September 11, according to different student and cultural organisations active on the university campus.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Gono-Abhyutthan Rokhha Andolon, and an independent platform of student journalists and activists are likely to field their candidates under one panel each.
The alliance of left and progressive students鈥� organisations appears to be divided into two groups and both groups are likely to field candidates under separate panels.
Till Tuesday, 87 aspirants collected their nomination forms for JUCSU posts, while 241 aspirants collected forms for the posts of the hall unions.
Chhatra Dal, despite facing factional disputes over the formation of the university committee, plans to announce its panel on August 25.
鈥楥andidates with broader popularity will be prioritised鈥�, said JU JCD convener Jahir Uddin Mohammad Babor.
Islami Chhatra Shibir, reemerging on campus after 36 years, is preparing a panel of candidates from diverse cultural, social, and religious backgrounds.
The group also intends to include at least six female candidates to appeal to the university鈥檚 5,817 female voters, out of 11,919 registered voters.
The newly formed Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad is contesting under the leadership of former campus journalist Arifuzzaman Uzzal.
A faction of the alliance of left and progressive students, comprising Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Biplobi Chhatra Moitree, Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance and Indigenous Students鈥� Association, is working to form a panel, while their rival faction is preparing to form another panel, according to leaders of the organisations.
An independent panel of student journalists and cultural activists is also in the making, seeking to provide an alternative to mainstream political groups.
Students said that an individual鈥檚 merit would weigh more heavily than his or her political identity in their voting decisions.
鈥業 will vote for the candidates who will be able to come out of partisan interests and represent students鈥� rights鈥�, said Borhan Uddin, a final year student of comparative literature and culture.
JUCSU Election Commission member secretary AKM Rashidul Alam said that nomination papers could be collected until Thursday.
The draft candidate list will be published on August 25, with the final list on August 29.
The last JUCSU election was held in 1992, when JCD secured the top positions.
