JUCSU: Vote counting on; results expected Friday

JUCSU Building at Jahangirnagar University premises. UNB.

Vote counting is currently underway for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and hall council elections, following the conclusion of polling earlier on Thursday. Results are expected to be announced by Friday morning.

Professor A.K.M. Rashidul Alam, member secretary of the university's Election Commission, said they received ballot boxes from all the halls and voting began around 10pm.

“We hope to be able to announce the results by noon on Friday,” he added.

Professor Alam also sought everyone's cooperation in this regard.

Professor Mafruhi Sattar, a member of the election commission, said that about 67 percent of the votes have been cast in JUCSU election.

Meanwhile, several panels including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel, boycotted the vote citing widespread irregularities.

Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi, JCD’s general secretary candidate, said they pulled out because polling officers from Islami Chhatra Shibir allegedly entered centres an hour before voting began.

She claimed Shibir supporters were engaged in vote rigging at various booths, with some female supporters casting multiple ballots.

In addition, three teachers  -- Prof Shamima Sultana, Nazrul Islam, and Nahrin Khan -- also stepped down from their election duty, citing irregularities.

“We have been witnessing irregularities since morning. Extra ballot papers were supplied to each centre. When we protested, officials simply told us to tear up the extra ballots,” Prof Shamima told reporters.

She also said the indelible ink used to mark voters’ fingers was ineffective. “Under these circumstances, we feel we cannot continue to be part of this election,” she added.

Voting began at 9am in a festive atmosphere, with 178 candidates vying for 25 JUCSU posts.

About 1,200 police personnel were deployed across the campus to ensure smooth proceedings. - UNB