Frustration as some students arrive too late to vote in JnUCSU election

A student says he was told that voting would continue until 4pm, but he found the gate closed upon arrival

Several students at Jagannath University have said they were unable to cast their ballots in the central students’ union election after polling closed on Tuesday afternoon.

Voting in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election began at 9am on Tuesday at 178 booths across 39 polling centres in five university buildings and continued without interruption until 3pm.

Some students who arrived later said they believed voting would continue beyond the official closing time.

One student, Nayeem Bhuiyan, said that he had been informed polling would run until 4pm, but found the campus gates closed when he arrived.

“We don’t have residential halls for male students, and many of us have academic commitments. When I came to vote, the gates were already shut.”

Several other students also expressed frustration at missing the opportunity to vote.

Even around 3:30pm, students were seen standing in queues.

However, those who were already inside the polling centres were able to cast their ballots.

Earlier in the afternoon, a strong student turnout was observed across the campus. Similarly, crowds of students were seen at every polling station on site.

Law-enforcing agencies have further tightened security outside the centres.

Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the university’s proctorial team are stationed at the two JnU gates being used for entry and exit.

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.

Chief Election Commissioner Prof Mostafa Hasan said once polling concludes, the vote counting via six OMR machines will be broadcast live.