‘Unwell’ teacher was called for JUCSU ballot duty before death

Returning officer says guards were sent to bring in the teacher who later collapsed during vote counting

Assistant Professor Jannatul Ferdous, who died while on duty during the vote count for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, had been unwell but was brought in by guards despite her condition, according to a returning officer.

Sultana Akter, the returning officer for Nawab Faizunnesa Hall, said her colleague should never have been summoned for duty in that state.

“She was sick, yet they sent guards to fetch her,” said Sultana, speaking to journalists outside the university’s Senate Bhaban on Friday afternoon.

“I believe the death of my colleague is a result of the Election Commission’s mismanagement. I want proper justice. The university authorities must compensate her family. This responsibility lies with the administration,” she added.

Jannatul, an assistant professor at the fine arts department, had been serving as the polling officer for Pritilata Hall during the JUCSU election.

On Friday morning, she fell ill while performing her duties during the ballot count. She was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where doctors pronounced her dead.