After a tense, 44-hour manual vote count, and days of campus speculation, Jahangirnagar University has finally announced the results of its fiercely contested Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.
In a result that reflects the fractured political landscape of the student union, Abdur Rashid Jitu of the Independent Students’ Union Panel has been elected Vice President, while Mazharul Islam of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Integrated Students’ Union has clinched the post of General Secretary.
Chief Election Commissioner Professor Md Moniruzzaman officially declared the results at the university’s Senate Building on Saturday evening, bringing an end to a process that began with voting on Thursday, 11 September, from 9 am to 5 pm, and a marathon counting session that kicked off later that night at 10:15 pm.
The delay, authorities confirmed, was due to the entirely manual tabulation of ballots, a painstaking process that tested the patience of students, faculty, and political observers alike.
But the election was far from universally embraced.
Four major student panels, including the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and five independent candidates boycotted the polls, denouncing what they called a “non-level playing field” and alleging widespread procedural irregularities.
The controversy deepened when four pro-BNP faculty members, including one sitting election commissioner, resigned in protest ahead of voting, a move that cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the entire exercise.
Despite the boycott and resignations, the election drew 177 candidates vying for 25 central executive positions.
Of the university’s 11,897 registered voters, 6,115 male and 5,728 female, approximately 68% turned out to cast their ballots, signalling strong, if polarised, student engagement.
The Shibir-backed Integrated Student Alliance secured a sweeping victory in the JACSU elections, winning 20 of the 25 central posts, including General Secretary (GS) and Assistant General Secretary (AGS). However, Abdur Rashid Jitu of the Independent Student Union Panel broke their dominance by being elected Vice President (VP).
Of the remaining four posts, two went to candidates from the Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Union (BAGCHAS), who were elected as Social Service Secretary and Member. Two independents won the sports and executive posts. The rest were taken by the Shibir-backed panel.
Voting took place on Thursday (September 11) from 9 am to 5 pm, with counting starting at 10:15 pm. The announcement of results was delayed for more than 44 hours due to the manual counting process.
A total of 177 candidates contested the 25 central posts. There were 11,897 registered voters, including 6,115 men and 5,728 women. Around 68 percent of the electorate cast their ballots.
Just two days earlier, Islami Chhatra Shibir had registered another sweeping win in the DUCSU elections held on Tuesday (September 9). Running under the banner of the Unified Student Alliance, their panel captured 23 of the 28 posts, including VP, GS and AGS.