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Published : 13 Sep 2025, 03:18 AM
Despite more than 32 hours passing since the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Council (JUCSU) and hall elections, clarity on the timing of result announcements is still lacking.
The decision to count votes manually instead of using the OMR machine, the slow pace of tallying and a series of counter-claims are spreading tension and confusion across the campus.
Confidence in the likely outcome of the elections is also weakening.
During the prolonged counting process, Assistant Prof Jannatul Ferdous of the university passed away on Friday morning in the Senate building.
Colleagues have criticised the election commission for its “mismanagement” in the context of her death.
Meanwhile, candidates still in the race and their supporters are protesting for a swift announcement of the results.
They say the lengthy counting process is regrettable and results from inadequate preparation.
The election commission, however, has urged people not to be confused and said the vote counting is ongoing without interruption, with hopes to announce results by night.
Voting started at 9am on Thursday in 21 halls across the campus of around 12,000 students. While most halls completed voting by 5pm, long queues at two or three halls extended the process until 7:30pm.
After 10pm, vote counting began under tight security at the Senate Bhaban. The election commission reported a voter turnout of nearly 68 percent in this election.
About 21 hours after counting began, the election commission announced that vote tallying for all 21 halls had been completed by 7pm.
Counting then began for the central student council. A returning officer had earlier said around 8,000 voters participated, requiring triple counting of ballots for the central council -- amounting to nearly 24,000 ballots.
Since voting began, candidates from several parties have raised concerns about irregularities and misconduct.
Complaints included an excess of ballots at polling stations compared with voters, violation of code of conduct by opposing candidates, ballot papers and OMR machines being supplied by a company linked to Jamaat, restricted entry for polling agents despite approval, pending doping test results, and allegations of election manipulation.
In response, five panels and several independent candidates withdrew from the race.
Four teachers involved in the election process, including one election commissioner, also stepped down.
BNP-aligned teachers subsequently demanded the election be annulled.
On the other hand, the Islami Chhatra Shibir described these events as “cowardly acts of deception”.
While some candidates from one panel raised complaints about irregularities and mismanagement, they chose not to boycott the election.
Those who withdrew were notably absent during the vote counting process, with many leaving the campus altogether.
On Friday night, numerous students gathered outside the Senate Bhaban during vote counting.
The crowd included both candidates and panel supporters, along with curious students. The prolonged delay in announcing results has caused widespread frustration.
Speaking around 9pm, philosophy student Anisuzzaman Sani said, “The main reason for the delay is that the election initially planned to use machines for vote counting. But following demands from [Jatiyatabadi] Chhatra Dal and other candidates, the decision was made to count votes manually.
“However, the university administration was unprepared for manual counting. As a result, it took over an hour on average to count votes for each hall. Had they been prepared, they would have increased manpower.”
Sajib Ahmed Jenich, joint general secretary (male) candidate from the Student Front (Marxist) said: “Despite spending millions to buy vote counting machines, they failed to use them due to multiple complaints. Everything seems planned to favour a particular group. The administration shamelessly created these problems.
“The OMR machines were procured from a company with political ties. When Chhatra Dal and other organisations raised objections, the administration decided to count all hall votes manually in the Senate building. This reflects the administration’s incompetence and the commission’s arrogance. This is why the counting is so delayed.”
The AFM Kamal Uddin Hall student added, “With only three or four tables counting votes for a small number of people, it’s taking too long. Each student cast about 40 votes, which adds up to a huge workload.”
Another student Tahsin Mahmud expressed disappointment. “It is very unfortunate that it takes this long to announce results. For a university like Jahangirnagar, it is sad that such a basic student election process is so slow.
“DU [Dhaka University] held theirs after six years with proper preparation. Here, it is the first election in 33 years, which is why the administration clearly could not prepare adequately.”
Chief Election Commissioner Prof Md Moniruzzaman said, “There is some space constraint for counting votes. We have increased manpower to speed up the process. The counting is progressing continuously, and we hope to complete it by night. However, we cannot provide an exact time.”
Member Secretary Prof AKM Rashidul Alam said, “It should be noted that the votes are being counted manually. The process will continue uninterrupted until completion.
“The commission hopes to finish counting and announce the results by night as promised,” he added.
