Jucsu polls see 67% turnout, counting may continue till morning
Sangsoptok, Sampritir Oikya, Swatantra Ongikar, Chhatra Front and several independent candidates demand fresh polls as vote counting begins
Highlights
- Counting begins around 10pm
- JU holds Jucsu and hall union polls after 33 years
- Voting ends around 6pm despite 5pm deadline
- Police, Rab, BGB and army deployed for security
- Chhatra Dal, four other panels, several independent candidates boycott polls
- Shibir's Sammilito Chhatra Jote, BGCS-backed Shikkharthi Oikya Forum, and the independent Swatantra Shikkharthi Sammelan — took part in the polls
- 177 candidates vying for 25 central posts, 445 for hall unions
- Results to be displayed instantly via OMR count
Counting began around 10pm for the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and hall union elections as voting concluded this evening (11 September), amid allegations of widespread irregularities, ballot stuffing, and administrative bias.
The polls, which officially were scheduled to end at 5pm, dragged on in several halls, with ballot boxes starting to arrive at the Jucsu Election Commission office only after 5:30pm.
Voting reportedly continued in some centres until around 6pm.
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Tensions escalated throughout the day as five panels, including the Chhatra Dal, and three members of the Nationalist Teachers' Forum announced their boycott of the polls.
After nearly 33 years, Jahangirnagar University (JU) hold the elections. Voting began at 9am. To ensure a peaceful election, extensive security arrangements were deployed, with members of the police, Ansar, Rab, BGB, and the army on the ground.
2:05am
We will accept the result, says Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad panel
At an emergency press conference held at 1:45am, Arifuzzaman Ujjal, vice-presidential candidate of Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS)-backed Shikkharthi Oikya Forum, announced that his panel would not boycott the Jucsu election and would accept the results.
Citing irregularities in the polls, Ujjal said, "Although this is a flawed election, it will revive Jucsu after 33 years. If we boycott now, we might have to wait another 33 years."
He held the Election Commission and the university administration responsible for the irregularities, saying they were not adequately prepared to ensure a fair election.
"One group exploited the situation while another asserted its dominance," he added.
Despite the irregularities, Ujjal noted that students participated spontaneously in the election to uphold democratic practice.
1:25am
Votes of four halls have been counted as of 1:20am. The halls include Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall and AFM Kamal Uddin Hall.
12:40am (12 September)
Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS) called an emergency press conference at 1:30am. The media briefing will be held in front of the Jucsu Election Commission office.
11:50pm
Jucsu polls see 67% turnout
The voter turnout in the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and hall union elections is 67%, Jucsu Election Commission member Professor Mafruhi Sattar told reporters.
He further said the counting process may extend until tomorrow morning.
The election office clarified that the counting of hall union votes will take place first, followed by the central union votes.
Manual counting is underway, and the results are being displayed on five LED screens. The counting started with the votes from Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall and Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall.
Polling agents of the candidates are positioned on the first floor of the Senate Building.
Due to limited space, other polling agents were initially not allowed to enter the room, leading to some tension. In response to their demands, the Election Commission later granted permission for them to stay in the Senate Building.
11:25pm
Shibir cast 3,000 fake votes, says Chhatra Dal leader Babar
Speaking after a protest rally tonight (11 September), JU Chhatra Dal convener Jahiruddin Mohammad Babar claimed that Shibir cast around 3,000 fake votes in Jucsu polls.
"The ballot papers and OMR machines supplied for the election came from a company owned by a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami and this company supplied 2,500 to 3,500 fake ballots to Shibir. Shibir leaders and activists cast 3,000 fake votes using those ballots," he said.
Therefore, he demanded the cancellation of this election, formation of a new Election Commission and the arrangement of a fresh election.
9:30pm
Chhatra Dal holds protest rally after Jucsu polls boycott
Following their boycott of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and hall union elections, Chhatra Dal organised a protest rally tonight (11 September).
The demonstration began around 8:15pm on campus and drew attention to alleged irregularities and mismanagement during the polls.
The rally started in front of the new Kala Bhavan and proceeded along the road past the Jucsu Election Commission office, heading toward the transport area, reports our correspondent.
Protesters chanted slogans such as "Boycott, boycott, boycott Jucsu" and "Farce of Jucsu, boycott, boycott.
7:00pm
4 leftist panels, Independent candidates boycott, demand fresh polls
The Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and hall union elections today descended further into controversy, with four leftist panels and some independent candidates announcing a boycott and calling for a fresh vote.
The panels are Sangsoptok Parishad, Sampritir Oikya, Swatantra Ongikar Parishad, and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, alongside over 20 independent candidates.
By 6:35pm, shortly after polls officially ended, representatives of the progressive student groups held a press conference at the university's transport area, where they declared their rejection of the election results and demanded a fresh polls.
At the press briefing, Shoron Ehsan, the general secretary candidate from Sampritir Oikya, read out a written statement.
Meanwhile, three other panels — Shibir-backed "Sammilito Chhatra Jote", Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad-(BGCS) backed Shikkharthi Oikya Forum, and the independent candidate coalition Swatantra Shikkharthi Sammelan' — participated in the polls as scheduled.
6:00pm
Shibir panel cites Jucsu poll irregularities, calls for unity after Chhatra Dal boycott
The Chhatra Shibir-backed "Somonnito Shikkharthi Jote" panel has raised several allegations of irregularities in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and hall union elections.
Speaking at a press conference, the panel's vice-president (VP) candidate Arifullah Adib said, "We are already witnessing multiple irregularities in the elections. The administration has made no proper preparations. Last night there was a meeting about polling agents' presence at the centres. But when we sent our polling agents this morning, officials in charge claimed they had no knowledge of it. These issues should have been resolved earlier."
5:30pm
Three JU teachers boycott Jucsu polls alleging irregularities
Amid allegations of massive irregularities in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) polls, three teachers boycotted the election citing widespread irregularities and administrative misconduct.
The teachers Professor Nahrin Islam Khan of the Geography and Environment Department, Professor Nazrul Islam, and Professor Shamima Sultana are members of the Nationalist Teachers' Forum.
They left their assigned polling centres before 4pm and later held a press conference in front of the Jucsu Election Commission office.
Speaking at the conference, Professor Nahrin said, "From the very beginning, the administration has acted irresponsibly, engaging in irregularities and manipulations. As responsible teachers, we cannot own of such an election. Out of protest, we have decided to boycott."
She alleged that many current students' names were missing from the official voter list, depriving them of their right to vote. "We have repeatedly raised these issues since yesterday, but the administration did not pay any attention. Even when we formally submitted complaints in writing, the authorities ignored us."
Professors Nazrul Islam and Shamima Sultana echoed similar concerns, accusing the administration of turning the election into a farce and ignoring repeated complaints of misconduct.
Their boycott has fuelled fresh tensions on campus, with student groups raising questions about the credibility of the polls. Although the official voting period was supposed to end at 5pm, reports suggest that voting was still ongoing in several halls past the deadline.
4:00pm
Chhatra Dal panel alleges multiple irregularities, boycotts election
The Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal panel has boycotted the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) elections, alleging multiple irregularities.
They made the announcement at an urgent press briefing this afternoon.
Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, had earlier announced a 25-member panel.
Sheikh Saadi Hasan was contesting for the vice president post and Tanzeela Hossain Baishakhi as general secretary.
2:40pm
Vote counting by hand: Jucsu CEC
The vote counting for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and hall union elections will be conducted by hand instead of the previously decided OMR technology.
This information was announced today (11 September) in a notice signed by Jucsu Chief Election Commissioner Professor Moniruzzaman.
The notice stated, "It is hereby announced that the vote counting process for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) and Hall Union Election 2025 will be completed manually. We seek everyone's cooperation in this matter."
Meanwhile, Jucsu Election Commission member and Professor of Pharmacy, Mafruhi Sattar, said, "Initially, we had decided that the vote counting would be done using ballot papers and OMR machines. However, one student organization [Chhatra Dal] raised objections against the use of machines. Therefore, the commission has decided that this time the votes will be counted manually."
Earlier, Chhatra Dal's VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan, at an emergency press conference, alleged, "The ballot papers and OMR machines supplied for the election came from a company owned by a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami.
"Once this information came to light, we informed the administration. Under pressure, they immediately decided to abandon the machines and switch to manual vote counting."
Earlier, it had been announced that special OMR machines would be used for vote counting.
1:40pm
Voting halted at Fazilatunnesa Mujib hall for an hour
Voting was halted at Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall amid allegations of irregularities around 12:20pm and was resumed around 1:15pm.
According to eyewitnesses, allegations of ballot manipulation surfaced around noon. Upon hearing this, Chhatra Dal's VP candidate Md Sheikh Sadi Hasan, along with his supporters, entered the dormitory. The situation quickly escalated, leaving resident students in fear.
When journalists arrived to cover the development, one of Sadi's supporters, Abdul Gaffar Zisan, allegedly misbehaved with reporters, attempting to force them out. Witnesses said he shoved journalists, leading to an altercation.
At one point, Jucsu Election Commission member Professor Mafruhi Sattar arrived and instructed journalists to leave the premises. Voting remained suspended for about an hour and resumed around 1:15pm.
When asked why he entered a female dormitory despite being an outsider, Zisan claimed he was there on "humanitarian grounds" to help resolve the problem. However, he did not answer when pressed on why he took it upon himself to resolve the problem despite having no official authority.
Other candidates from the hall alleged that the Chhatra Dal VP candidate entered the polling centre without authorisation, violating rules.
Regarding the incident, Jucsu Election Commission Member Secretary AK Rashidul Alam said, "There was a misunderstanding at the center, which has been resolved. Voting has resumed."
When asked about the Chhatra Dal VP candidate's unauthorised entry into the hall, he said, "We have not yet received any formal complaint. If we do, action will be taken."
1:15pm
Voting halted at Tajuddin hall for an hour
Voting was halted at JU's Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall around 12:30pm as the voters' list initially contained no photos, which raised questions about whether someone actually voted or someone else voted on their behalf.
Voting resumed after an hour of suspension around 1:30pm after a voters' list with photos arrived at the centre.
Hall Provost Lutful Ilahi commented on the matter, "I hope we have resolved it. A list with photographs has now arrived. Those who already cast their votes have signed on that list. If they come again to vote, they will be identified."
Rather than a voters' list with photos, temporary index cards issued by halls with attached photos were being used for verification.
"On top of that, indelible ink was not being applied on the fingers to all voters' fingers, raising fears of electoral fraud," claimed one Nurul Aziz, a third year student of History department of the university.
One of the students who came to vote said votes of 159 people were cast without photographs, so it cannot be identified who actually voted or whether someone else voted on their behalf. Later, when students protested this, voting was suspended.
Students at Tajuddin Hall said they want clear confirmation on whether any irregularities took place.
11am
Jucsu polls: Shibir, Chhatra Dal VP candidates allege favouritism and ballot, dope test anomalies
The vice-president (VP) candidates of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal have alleged several irregularities in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) election, including the supply of extra ballot papers, incomplete implementation of dope tests and non-disclosure of test results, and administrative favouritism.
They made the allegations while speaking to journalists after casting their votes this morning (11 September).
Sheikh Sadi Hasan, the VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel, alleged that extra ballots were printed to favour a certain group in the polls.
Arifullah Adib, VP candidate from the Shibir-backed Somonnito Shikkharthi Jote panel, claimed that 101 extra ballots were sent to Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall compared to the total number of registered voters.
"There are 299 voters in Salam-Barkat Hall, but 400 ballots were sent. When we asked the official in charge, he failed to provide any logical explanation," Adib said.
He further alleged that although the university administration had initially decided to print 10% additional ballots, it later announced that no polling centre would receive extra ballots. "That decision was not followed in practice," he added.
Adib also raised questions about the presence of former students on campus despite a ban, the failure to publish mandatory dope test results for candidates, and the lack of disclosure of names of those who skipped the tests.
"Dope tests were mandatory. The university administration arranged them. But the Election Commission has yet to publish the results. We have learned that many did not even take the test, but their names have not been published either," he said.
Chhatra Dal's Sadi also made similar allegations of favouritism and negligence against the administration.
"From yesterday until now, I have observed irregularities, negligence, and favouritism from the administration. At the same time, we saw attempts by Chhatra Shibir to influence the authorities," he alleged.
He claimed that the Shibir president was openly present inside the Election Commission office, trying to influence both the commission and the administration from the start.
Sadi further alleged that the vote-counting machines were supplied by a company backed by a particular student organization. For this reason, his panel has repeatedly urged the administration, both verbally and in writing, to conduct the counting manually.
Candidates claim irregularities
However, a few people including Shikkharthi Oikkya Forum general secretary candidate Towhid Mohammad Siam, have claimed Shibir supporters have been distributing leaflets and campaigning at the queues outside the polling centres.
Siam said, "Outside the polling centres of each hall Shibir supporters have been distributing leaflets. This goes against the election rules. We have informed the relevant authorities. Also, we have heard ink marks are not being applied on the fingers of voters which creates scope of irregularities."
However, Shibir's general secretary candidate Majharul Islam refuted the claim and said they are not distributing leaflets.
"Rather we [Shibir] as well as Chhtra Dal had asked the provost of the halls for permission to give leaflets to anyone who wishes to see the list of candidates. If voters themselves approach us only then we are providing leaflets, we are not distributing anything ourselves."
10:30am
Candidates face agent complications; voting delayed at some halls
Several candidates in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) elections alleged complications in appointing polling agents at a number of centres.
Polling officers at the halls, however, said the issue arose because information about agent appointments was circulated late last night.
"Due to the delay in reaching all candidates, this complication occurred," they added.
Meanwhile, voting began without the results of mandatory dope tests being published.
At several halls, polling started later than scheduled. A visit to the centres in the morning showed that at Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall and a few others, voting was delayed by 10 to 30 minutes.
Polling officers in charge of these centres said the delays were mainly due to overall preparation and complications regarding polling agents.
9am
Voting begins
Voting began around 9am today (11 September), with delays in some of the centres owing to complications regarding polling agents.
OMR machines are being used to count the votes. Results will be displayed instantly on a large screen set up at the university's Senate Hall.
Updates will also be announced every hour across the campus, as well as published on the university's website and its public relations office's Facebook page.
Islami Chhatra Shibir's morale has been high following the landslide victory in the Dhaka University Central Students Union (Ducsu) polls, winning 23 out of 28 central posts of the student union, on 9 September.
For the first time in around 35 years, Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, announced its JU committee in October last year.
After the killing of History department student Habibur Rahman Kabir allegedly by Shibir activists in 1989, all socio-cultural-political organisations at the university reached a consensus not to allow activities of the student body and religion-based politics on the campus.
A total of 8 panels are contesting, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS).
Meanwhile, Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League, could not participate in the polls as the party has been banned.
This year, 177 candidates are contesting 25 posts of the Jucsu central council, while 445 candidates are running for the hall unions.
The vice-president post has nine contenders, while eight are competing for the general secretary position. Following amendments to the constitution, 11 new positions were added this year, bringing the total to 25, of which six are reserved for female students.
On Tuesday, candidates spent their final day of campaigning busy with election activities. They said that although it was not possible to reach all voters, they hoped students would consider merit and vote for those capable of working in their interest.
Independent candidate Syeda Ananya Faria has withdrawn from the GS race, while Amartya Roy, VP candidate from the Shompritir Oikya panel, will not be able to run after a High Court order reinstating his candidacy was stayed by the Chamber Court.
Sixty-seven teachers will oversee the polls as presiding officers and assistants. To maintain order, more than 1,000 police officers will be deployed at the 12 university entrances, while Ansar members will provide security inside polling stations.
