Voting begins in first-ever Jagannath University students’ union election

Voting in the first-ever Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) election is under way, nearly 20 years after the institution began operating as a university in Dhaka.

Polling started at 9am on Tuesday at 39 centres across five university buildings, with 178 booths in operation. Voting is scheduled to continue until 3pm.

Despite cold weather, students from across the city have been turning out to cast their ballots. Elections are also being held on the same day for the students’ union of the university’s only residential hall, Nawab Faizunnesa Chowdhurani Hall.

More than 16,600 students are eligible to vote in the election, which will determine the leadership of the central union for a one-year term. A total of 157 candidates, representing four panels as well as independent contenders, are contesting 21 positions.

Four major panels, including those backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir, are in the race.

One of the early voters, history student Ankita Saham, said she was excited to be voting for the first time at the university.

“This is my first vote here, so there is naturally a sense of excitement. I will welcome whoever is elected through a fair process,” she said.

The university administration said all preparations had been completed for the vote, the first since Jagannath was upgraded from a college to a university in 2005.

Chief Election Commissioner Prof Mostafa Hasan said ballot counting would be carried out using optical mark recognition machines and broadcast live after polling closes.

The election had originally been scheduled for Dec 30 but was postponed by a week following the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT?

Voters will cast ballots for 21 positions on a three-page ballot for the central council.

The left side of the ballot will show the English letter and numerical number for each post (e.g., vice president A-11), the middle section will show the candidate’s full name, and the right-hand box is where the voter marks their choice with a cross (X).

The first page will cover vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), assistant general secretary (AGS), Liberation War and democratic movement affairs secretary, education and research secretary, science and technology secretary, and health and environment secretary.

The second page will include law and human rights secretary, international affairs secretary, literature and culture secretary, sports secretary, transport secretary, social services and student welfare secretary, and library and seminar secretary.

The last page will allow voters to choose seven candidates for seven executive posts.

Prof Mostafa said at a press conference that results will be counted and broadcast live using six OMR machines.

COMPETING PANELS

Four primary alliances are vying for leadership, alongside several independent candidates:

Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobian: Supported by Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Odhikar Parishad.

Odommo Jobian Oikko: Supported by Chhatra Shibir, UP Bangladesh, and Inqilab Moncho.

Maulana Bhashani Brigade: Comprising Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and several cultural and social organisations.

Oikkoboddho Jobian: Supported by Jatiya Chhatra Shakti.

RACE FOR TOP SLOTS

The VP, GS, and AGS posts feature multiple candidates from the panels and independents:

• VP (12 candidates)

• Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobian: AKM Rakib (A-11)

• Odommo Jobian Oikko: Riazul Islam (A-06)

• Oikkoboddho Jobian: Kishwar Anjum Shammo (A-09)

• Maulana Bhashani Brigade: Gourab Bhowmick

• Remaining eight candidates are independents.

• GS (9 candidates)

• Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobian: Khadijatul Kubra (B-07)

• Odommo Jobian Oikko: Abdul Alim Arif (B-05)

• Oikkoboddho Jobian: Faisal Murad (B-04)

• Maulana Bhashani Brigade: Ivan Tahsibh (B-09)

• Five independents, notably Shah Ahmad Reza (B-03).

• AGS (8 candidates)

• Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobian: BM Atikur Rahman Tanzil (C-06)

• Odommo Jobian Oikko: Masud Rana (C-02)

• Oikkoboddho Jobian: Md Shahin Mia (C-03)

• Maulana Bhashani Brigade: Md Shamsul Alam Maruf (C-01)

• Remaining four are independents.

VOTING PROCEDURE

Each department will act as a separate polling centre, with digital counting at every centre. One female teacher will serve as assistant returning officer at each centre to ensure safe voting for female students.

Voters can scan a QR code next to their names for instant voter ID, allowing those without ID cards to vote.

Students will enter polling booths after presenting ID cards. Hall council voting will be held at the left side of the ground floor of Shahid Sajid Academic Building.

Voting for the central and hall councils will be on separate ballots. Residential hall students will vote for 13 hall positions and 21 central council positions, totalling 34 votes, while non-residential students will vote only for central council posts. Votes will be marked with a cross (X) in the right-hand box.

OMR Voting:

Central council ballot is 3 pages, hall ballot 1 page, including post name, ballot number, candidate name, and voting box. Results will be announced in the central auditorium.