Festivity, Chaos Mark JUCSU Polls

The long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections finally took place on Thursday, but the day was overshadowed by chaos, allegations of irregularities, and boycotts, with five of the eight participating panels withdrawing in protest.

Despite the controversies, the campus carried a festive mood as students turned out in large numbers to cast their votes. Crowds formed at polling centres throughout the day, though slow voting forced many to wait in long queues even past the official closing time.

Five panels – including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed one – boycotted the polls, demanding a fresh schedule and reform of the Election Commission. The other withdrawing panels were Sompritir Oikko, Sangsaptak Parishad, Swatantra Angikar Parishad, and the Socialist Student Front (Marxist).

The boycotting groups alleged that erasable ink was used on voters’ fingers, enabling multiple voting by members of Islami Chhatri Sangstha. They further claimed that the CCTV cameras came from a company linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, allowing undue surveillance by Islami Chhatra Shibir supporters.

Additional allegations included unrestricted entry of Shibir activists into halls while JCD and other candidates faced obstructions, missing candidate names from ballots, and JCD agents being denied access in several halls. Critics also accused the administration of printing “10% extra ballots” and holding voting without electricity in some centres, opening the door for rigging.

JCD-backed general secretary candidate Tanjila Hossain Boishakhi said the administration had colluded with Jamaat-Shibir to manipulate the polls. “This election does not reflect the will of the students,” she declared, citing disappearing ink, misplaced ballots, and barred agents as reasons for the boycott.

Sangsaptak Parishad echoed the allegations, pointing to pre-marked ballots at Hall 15 and excess ballot papers sent to Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall despite fewer registered voters.

By evening, only three panels remained in the race: Shikkharthi Oikya Forum (backed by Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad), Shomonnito Shikkharthi Jote (backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir), and the Independent Student Alliance.

Meanwhile, three pro-BNP teachers resigned from election duties in protest, including Mathematics Department Chairman Nazrul Islam, who criticised the assignment of ballot printing and counting responsibilities to a politically affiliated group.

On the other hand, Arif Ullah Adib, VP candidate from the Shomonnito Shikkharthi Jote, dismissed the boycotts, arguing that JCD had pulled out “out of fear of certain defeat.”

Voting irregularities were reported at Shaheed Tajuddin Hall, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, and Fazilatunnesa Hall, where polling was briefly suspended following protests. Still, voter turnout grew stronger as the day wore on, with 8,016 students – around 68% of registered voters – casting ballots across 21 residential halls.

In some halls, voting stretched beyond the deadline, with Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall recording the highest turnout: 806 out of 991 registered voters by 7:30 pm. “Each student is taking 15 to 20 minutes to vote, which is slowing the process,” explained Professor Md Abdur Razzak, the hall provost.

Despite disputes, the polls injected new energy into campus life. “This feels like a celebration. The campus truly belongs to students again,” said Jannatul Ferdous Rupa of Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Hall. First-time voter Mehedi Hasan added, “A culture of democracy is beginning here, and we hope it extends to national politics.”

Election Commission Secretary Professor Rashidul Alam downplayed the irregularities, calling them “isolated incidents,” and emphasised the festive atmosphere as students participated in their first-ever JUCSU election.

In total, 11,743 students were eligible to vote – 6,115 male and 5,728 female – for 25 central JUCSU positions and 315 hall union posts, contested by 178 candidates.