Teacher dies after collapsing during JUCSU vote count

Assistant Prof Jannatul Ferdous was working as the polling officer at Pritilata Hall when she suddenly fell ill

A Jahangirnagar University teacher has died after falling ill while on duty during the vote count for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election.

Jannatul Ferdous, an assistant professor at the university's Department of Fine Arts, was working as the polling officer at Pritilata Hall during Thursday’s vote.

She had arrived at the Senate building on Friday morning as counting continued from the previous night. Soon after, she collapsed and was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where doctors declared her dead.

“In the morning she was called for the vote count. Shortly after arriving here, she fell ill. Later she was taken to Enam Medical College, where doctors declared her dead,” said Prof Sultana Akhter of the History Department.

Dr Shawon of the hospital's emergency department said Jannatul had been brought in dead at 9am.

"At the time, her husband and fellow university teachers were with her,” he added.

The election, held on Thursday after a 33-year gap, saw voting throughout the day before counting began late at night in the Senate building.