The long-awaited Jagannath University (JnU) Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and hall union elections were held in a festive atmosphere on Tuesday, marking the first-ever JnUCSU election in the university’s 21-year history. However, vote counting has been temporarily suspended due to technical issues.
According to the Election Commission, an error occurred during the OMR machine vote counting, prompting a halt to the process shortly after it began at 6pm. Discrepancies were detected in the vote tallies of two candidates, leading to the initiation of a re-verification process. Despite three hours passing, the vote counting could not resume until late at night.
JnUCSU Election Commissioner Professor Md Shahidul Islam said: “We commenced the counting process. Some technical issues have arisen with the machines, and efforts are underway to resolve them. The results from two machines are being cross-checked. The source of the problem will be identified promptly, and further steps will be announced accordingly.”
Voting commenced at 9am on Tuesday and concluded at 3:30pm. The university’s students expressed considerable enthusiasm and excitement over the inaugural JnUCSU election, hoping that this student representative process would help overcome existing challenges and open new opportunities for the campus community.
Students turn out despite early morning cold
Observers noted that from 8am, students from various parts of the capital braved the foggy winter morning to reach the campus by university buses and cast their votes. Many were already in line well before polling began.
Sanjida Afrin, a student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, who traveled from Comilla, said: “I braved the cold and waited in a long line to cast my vote. It feels wonderful to participate in my first JnUCSU election.”
Mujahid, a student of the Department of Bangla, said: “Today’s turnout shows how important the JnUCSU election is for students. We came despite the foggy winter morning. The campus environment was vibrant and festive. Now, we await the results.”
Morsalin Ahmed of the Department of Political Science added: “I voted for the first time in my youth. The election environment was generally good. Compared to other universities, our campus managed a fair and celebratory election. A smooth conclusion will be appreciated.”
Mutual allegations between student panels
Throughout the day, both the Chhatra Dal-supported Oikyaboddho Nirbhik Jobian panel and the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Odommo Jobian panel lodged mutual allegations.
AKM Rakib, the Chhatra Dal panel’s VP candidate, alleged: “The administration favored a specific panel and did not take action against Shibir-affiliated outsiders entering the campus.”
Conversely, VP candidate Riazul Islam of the Shibir-backed panel claimed: “Chhatra Dal members created unrest near the main gate from the start of voting, bringing in outsiders. Without state intervention, doubts about a fair election could arise.”
Rakib also accused Shibir-affiliated individuals of attempting to influence the election and using fake tokens to admit outsiders and non-students, while his panel’s token holders faced harassment. He claimed: “Two suspicious women were handed over to the police by Chhatra Dal members, only for Shibir members to intervene.” He called for administrative action.
Other panels, including the leftist-supported Maulana Bhasani Brigade and the National Student Power-backed Oikyaboddho Nirbhik Jobian, also reported misconduct and violations of election regulations by both Chhatra Dal and Shibir supporters.
Shibir panel warns against vote manipulation
After polling, at 4:30pm, VP candidate Riazul Islam of the Shibir-supported panel warned at a press briefing: “No form of manipulation will be tolerated during the JnUCSU vote counting. The counting must follow the procedure agreed upon by all candidates and the Election Commission. Post-voting modifications will not be accepted. Legal action must be taken against Chhatra Dal members who harassed our female workers.”
He alleged that four female students, including Mahima from the Law Department, were harassed by Chhatra Dal members. He said: “One woman was falsely accused of being a Jamaat worker and handed to the police. Even innocent passersby were not spared. The perpetrators must be immediately arrested.”
Allegations of bias from Oikyaboddho Nirbhik Jobian panel
The Oikyaboddho Nirbhik Jobian panel, backed by National Student Power, accused the Election Commission of bias and administrative non-cooperation. VP candidate Kishor Samya said: “The Election Commission acted in a highly partisan manner, and parts of the administration directly supported either Chhatra Dal or the Shibir panel, breaking all previous precedents.”
He further questioned the transparency of the process, noting: “The ink provided to voters faded shortly after voting, undermining the election’s credibility.” GS candidate Faisal Murad highlighted several irregularities and said: “Despite reporting these, the commission remained indifferent. Polling agents of both dominant panels distributed voter slips at booths, but our panel was denied this opportunity.”
Voter turnout exceeds 60%
According to preliminary data from the Election Commission, over 60% of eligible voters participated in the JnUCSU election. Returning officers, assistant returning officers, and polling agents have been submitting ballot boxes to the central control room.
Dr Zulfikar Mahmud, election commissioner, said: “Students voted spontaneously at 178 booths across 39 centers. By 3pm, more than 60% of voters had cast their ballots. Final percentages and detailed results will be available once all centers’ results are consolidated.”
Dr Mahmud confirmed that all students in line before 3pm were allowed to vote, but no additional voters were admitted afterward. He noted that turnout might have been higher if the weather had been milder.
Professor Syeda Ishrat Nazia, returning officer from the Department of Geography and Environment, expressed satisfaction with the process, noting: “No complaints have been received, reflecting a peaceful election.”
Election code violations reported by JnU UTL
On the day of polling, the University Teachers’ Link (UTL) JnU branch reported violations of election code of conduct by a Chhatra Dal-supported panel.
Dr Mohammad Bilal Hossain, UTL Central Committee secretary, noted: “Although voting was generally peaceful and orderly, voter slips provided to students were found to contain campaign posters for a specific panel. Voter slips are sensitive and impartial tools. Using them for campaigning undermines the democratic process.”
Participation and candidates
In this election, 157 candidates contested the central JnUCSU seats, while 33 candidates ran for hall union positions. There were 16,735 eligible voters for the central union and 1,247 for the hall union. A total of 38 polling centers were designated for the central union and one for the hall union, with 190 candidates contesting 34 seats overall.
