Appeal to Chamber Court against Shaksu election suspension order

The application was submitted to the Chamber Court on Monday (January 19) afternoon. Advocate Md. Saddam Hossain, the lawyer concerned, confirmed the development, saying the hearing on the application will take place in due course.

Earlier in the day, the High Court suspended the SHAKSU and Hall Parliament elections of SUST for four weeks. Voting for the elections had been scheduled for January 20.

The order was passed by a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Asif Hasan. Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, Barrister Rashna Imam and Barrister Moniruzzaman Asad represented the writ petitioners, while Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu appeared for the university. Advocate Md. Saddam Hossain was also present, and Additional Attorney General Anik R. Haque represented the state.

Following the hearing, Barrister Rashna Imam told reporters that the High Court had suspended the approval granted by the Election Commission for the SHAKSU elections for four weeks. As a result, the elections will not be held on January 20 and may be rescheduled after the four-week period.

The writ petition seeking postponement of the elections was filed on Sunday by three students, including independent candidate Mominur Rashid Shuvo. The Chief Election Commissioner and other relevant authorities were made respondents.

According to the petition, the Election Commission had earlier instructed that all elections be suspended ahead of the national parliamentary elections. In that context, the petitioners argued, allowing the SHAKSU elections to proceed would be unlawful.

Meanwhile, prior to the High Court order, the campaigning period for SHAKSU and Hall Parliament election candidates had been extended by 12 hours. A notification signed by SHAKSU Chief Election Commissioner Abul Mukit Mohammad Mokaddes on Sunday morning said the extension was granted as campaigning was disrupted following the Election Commission’s January 12 moratorium on all elections nationwide.

The notification noted that after the Election Commission allowed the SHAKSU elections to be held on January 20, 2026, the deadline for campaigning was extended to January 18 at 9:00 pm to facilitate candidates. Under the election code of conduct, campaigning is required to end 48 hours before voting.