Non-Students Residing in Halls to Influence JUCSU Polls, Alleges Shibir Candidate

A vice-presidential contender backed by Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, has accused activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) of manipulating voters by staying inside Jahangirnagar University’s student halls during Thursday’s long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election.

Candidate Arifullah Adeeb alleged that JCD central committee vice-president Anisuzzaman, a former student and ineligible voter, was residing at Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall during the polls. He further claimed that other JCD activists were similarly staying in various residential halls.

“The administration had announced that outsiders would be arrested after 10:00am, but the election commission has failed to take effective action,” Adeeb told reporters outside Mir Mosharraf Hall before casting his ballot.

He also alleged irregularities in ballot distribution, pointing out that Shahid Salam-Barkat Hall, which has 293 registered voters, had received 400 ballot papers.

“This is highly alarming. We have yet to receive any satisfactory explanation from the administration about why 107 extra ballots were sent,” he said.

Election commission member secretary and university proctor AKM Rashidul Alam dismissed the allegations, explaining that an additional 10 percent of ballots had been printed to account for damage or errors. He added that steps were being taken to evict non-students from the halls.

JUCSU Polls Begin Amid Festive Mood

Balloting for Jahangirnagar University’s first JUCSU election in 33 years began Thursday morning in a vibrant atmosphere under tight security. A total of 11,919 registered students are voting for 25 central union posts and 315 hall union seats across 21 residential halls.

Voting, conducted through Optical Mark Recognition ballots at 224 booths, started at 9:00am and will continue until 4:00pm, with results expected later at night.

Chief election commissioner Professor Md Moniruzzaman said arrangements had been made to ensure a “fair and peaceful” election, although ballots will be counted manually in line with stakeholders’ demands.

Despite concerns over past controversies, students described the campus mood as celebratory.

“It feels historic to finally vote after decades. The campus looks alive,” said Rafi Ahmed, an economics student.

Students expressed hope that JUCSU would mark a break from exploitative traditions. “In the past, student politics often thrived on holding students hostage for political gains. I hope this election ends that culture permanently,” said Rashidul Islam, a master’s student in chemistry.

Others emphasized the importance of representation. “Without seats in the university senate, students had to run from office to office to press their demands. JUCSU should become the collective voice of students,” said Sohel Rana, a mathematics student.

English undergraduate Tasnim Jahan added, “Whatever the result, this election itself is a victory for students.”

Teachers serving as presiding officers, along with volunteers, guided students through the process, while voters were required to present multiple IDs before entering polling centres.

Around 1,500 members of police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, and the army have been deployed, with army units on standby outside campus.

Eight student panels are contesting, supported by groups ranging from JCD to left-leaning alliances like Sampritir Oikya and Sangsaptak Parishad. Independent candidates, including national footballer Mahmudul Hasan Kiron for sports secretary, have also drawn attention.

In total, 179 candidates are competing for central posts—nine for vice-president, nine for general secretary, and 16 for assistant general secretary. One alliance, Sampritir Oikya, is contesting without a vice-presidential nominee after the Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of Amartya Ray John’s candidacy due to expired studentship.

“We’ve been waiting for this moment our entire student life. The campus feels like a festival ground,” said Mehedi Hasan, a physics student.

The last JUCSU election was held in 1992 before being suspended for decades amid political unrest. The newly elected body will send five representatives to the university’s 93-member senate, restoring student participation in governance after more than three decades.