Final results of Jucsu polls to be announced by 7pm today: CEC Moniruzzaman
The prolonged process, marked by repeated delays and boycotts, has left many questioning the credibility of the much-anticipated polls
Three days after voting concluded, the results of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) election are finally expected to be announced this evening (13 September), following repeated delays in the ballot-counting process.
As of 12:20pm today, nearly 42 hours had passed since voting ended, with multiple changes already made to the previously announced result declaration times, fueling frustration and uncertainty among students.
Confirming the new timeline, Chief Election Commissioner Prof Moniruzzaman told a press briefing around 12pm, "The final results of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) election will be announced at 7pm today."
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He explained, "We tried to announce the results by Friday night, but it was not possible to give a specific time. After the tragic death of one of our colleagues, the counting process had slowed down. Following another meeting with the vice-chancellor, the process resumed."
"Manpower has been increased to speed up the process while ensuring transparency in front of the candidates' agents. No one outside of the commission is involved in the counting," he added.
The prolonged process, marked by repeated delays and boycotts, has left many questioning the credibility of the much-anticipated polls.
Meanwhile, JU Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam, who is serving as the Jucsu election commission member-secretary, told reporters that a lack of experience in conducting elections has delayed the results, as the university has not held central student union or hall elections in 33 years.
"Each ballot is being carefully checked and analysed to ensure accuracy, which is why it is taking longer. Every vote is valuable, and the final results will be well-organised and valid."
Earlier this morning, Jucsu Election Commission member Prof Lutful Elahi said shortly before 11am that counting had been completed in 15 of the university's 21 halls.
"Three more will be finished within the next half an hour, and we hope to announce the results by 1:30pm or 2pm," he said.
Jucsu Election Commission member Prof Lutful Elahi told reporters around 9am, "Vote counting in a total of 14 halls has been completed. We hope the remaining halls will be finished by 1pm."
Shortly before 11am, Prof Elahi said counting had been completed in 15 of the 21 halls, with three more expected to be finished within half an hour. He indicated that the commission hoped to announce the results by 1:30pm or 2pm, though this target was later pushed back.
While counting for the hall unions concluded by 7pm yesterday (12 September), counting for the central union only began afterwards.
Thursday's (11 September) election was marred by allegations of mismanagement in both polling and counting, alongside boycotts by five panels – including that of the Chhatra Dal – over claims of administrative bias.
On Friday, other panels, including candidates from Islami Chhatra Shibir, accused the authorities of conspiring to delay and obstruct the declaration of results.
Jucsu polls: Manual counting, absence of polling agents, CCTV monitoring delay results
The repeated delays and irregularities have left students disheartened. Many have voiced concerns over the prolonged process, describing it as a blow to the credibility of the polls they had long awaited.
A total of 11,743 students were eligible to vote in the election, with turnout reaching around 67-68 percent. Eight full and partial panels contested the polls, though several later withdrew from the race.
