United News of Bangladesh

Vote counting is currently underway for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and hall council elections, following the conclusion of polling earlier on Thursday. Results are expected to be announced by Friday morning. Professor A.K.M. Rashidul Alam, member secretary of the university's Election Commission, said they received ballot boxes from all the halls and voting began around 10pm. “We hope to be able to announce the results by noon on Friday,” he added. Professor Alam also sought everyone's cooperation in this regard. Professor Mafruhi Sattar, a member of the election commission, said that about 67 percent of the votes have been cast in JUCSU election. Meanwhile, several panels including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel, boycotted the vote citing widespread irregularities. Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi, JCD’s general secretary candidate, said they pulled out because polling officers from Islami Chhatra Shibir allegedly entered centres an hour before voting began. She claimed Shibir supporters were engaged in vote rigging at various booths, with some female supporters casting multiple ballots. In addition, three teachers  -- Prof Shamima Sultana, Nazrul Islam, and Nahrin Khan -- also stepped down from their election duty, citing irregularities. “We have been witnessing irregularities since morning. Extra ballot papers were supplied to each centre. When we protested, officials simply told us to tear up the extra ballots,” Prof Shamima told reporters. She also said the indelible ink used to mark voters’ fingers was ineffective. “Under these circumstances, we feel we cannot continue to be part of this election,” she added. Songsoptok Parshad boycotts JUCSU polls over irregularities Voting began at 9am in a festive atmosphere, with 178 candidates vying for 25 JUCSU posts. About 1,200 police personnel were deployed across the campus to ensure smooth proceedings.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmad Khan has expressed gratitude to the students, candidates, media workers, law enforcement agencies, and all those involved in the electoral process for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Union. He thanked the students for their extensive cooperation and said that honouring the students’ demand, the university administration organised the long cherished DUCSU election with the cooperation of various stakeholders. For spontaneous presence at all stages of the election, the VC expressed special gratitude to the journalists. He expressed deep sorrow at the death of Tariqul Islam Shibli, a journalist of Channel S who died while covering the polls, and prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul. Expressing gratitude to the Election Commission and all involved in the electoral process, the VC said that the Election Commission truly worked day and night. “One member of the commission, leaving his child in ICU in a critical condition, carried out responsibilities with us continuously out of duty. I gave this example to show that much hard work of many people is behind organising the DUCSU election. My colleagues worked with great sincerity throughout the past eleven months of this arrangement. They scrutinised and implemented every step and plan thoroughly. Their role is outstanding by any measure.” He said “Responding to our arrangement, guardians, various teachers’ forums, the observer team from Chittagong University, and stakeholders at different levels came forward. We want to thank them.” Shibir-backed panel sweeps DUCSU polls for first time in history Wishing the winning and defeated candidates well, the vice-chancellor said that their contributions must be mentioned for two reasons. First, they played a role in reactivating a very important institution like DUCSU. Second, from the preparation stage to election day, by showing tolerance of differing opinions, they stayed together without major conflict. “Despite different groups, views, and disagreements, they have created an excellent example that we can be united for Dhaka University and the country out of affection.” The vice-chancellor said, “I especially want to remember the role of the law enforcement agencies. In some difficult situations, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police administration, various branches of the police, and intelligence agencies played a major role.” As a national institution, the interest and support shown by the people of the country toward Dhaka University is a great achievement for us. I salute the entire nation for standing with Dhaka University. We still have a long way to go. Through the reactivation of DUCSU, in the process of creating an inclusive university, and in the reconstruction of Bangladesh, we want to remain with the country and the nation, the VC mentioned.

Leaders of the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, who won the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections, paid homage on Thursday to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the July uprising. They offered prayers at the graves of the July uprising martyrs and at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Rayerbazar. Newly elected DUCSU Vice-President Abu Shadik Kayem, General Secretary SM Farhad, Assistant General Secretary Mohiuddin Khan, along with other panel members, were present. The programme was part of a schedule announced by Islami Chhatra Shibir to celebrate their victory in the DUCSU polls. The leaders said they would begin their official activities after taking office, starting by honouring the martyrs who fought against fascism in the country. Students’ anti-extortion stance helped Shibir win DUCSU elections: Manna “We believe fulfilling the expectations of the martyrs is our responsibility, and we want to start this from DU, where the July uprising began,” said Vice-President Shadik Kayem. “By visiting and offering prayers at the graves of the 1971 and July uprising martyrs today, we have initiated our post-victory activities,” added General Secretary SM Farhad. In the DUCSU 2025 elections, the Shibir-backed panel Oikkyoboddho Shikkharthi Jote achieved a landslide victory, winning 23 posts.

Voting for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections concluded on Thursday afternoon, yet long queues of eager students remained outside several polling centres. Although polling stations were mostly quiet in the morning, turnout picked up steadily after noon. By 2 pm, significant queues had formed at a number of centres, particularly six venues with 1,000 voters each. One first-time voter described the process as festive, saying, “This is our first experience of casting a ballot, and we’re excited to take part in a democratic exercise.” Large crowds were reported at Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, Hall No. 21 and Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Hall, where more than 200 students gathered at each site. JCD-backed panel boycotts JUCSU polls alleging vote rigging Returning officers said all the voters who joined the queues before the 5 pm deadline would be allowed to cast their ballots, regardless of how long counting might take. As of 5:20 pm, more than 200 students were still waiting outside the Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall centre. Meanwhile, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel announced a boycott, alleging vote rigging. The panel’s general secretary candidate, Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi, made the announcement at a campus press conference around 3:30 pm.

At least 25 people were injured in a clash between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir over control of Muladi Government College in Muladi upazila of Barishal on Thursday morning. Mahiuddin Dhali, convener of Muladi Upazila Chhatra Dal, said since the DUCSU elections, local Shibir leaders have been trying to take control of the college. “As they made derogatory remarks about Tarique Rahman our college unit president protest it. Shibir activists then tried to remove him from the college. When we went to the scene Shibir men attacked us. Seven to eight of our leaders are currently hospitalized,” he said. Those currently leading Shibir were previously members of banned Chhatra League, he added. Syed Ahmed, president of Barishal district unit Shibir, said they arranged a career guidance programme for first-year honours’ students. As district and upazila Shibir leaders went to Muladi College to discuss about the programme JCD leaders suddenly attacked them , injuring 15 to 20 activists injured. JCD-backed panel boycotts JUCSU polls alleging vote rigging Six of them were seriously injured were referred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, he said. Muladi police officer-in-charge (OC) Md. Safikul Islam said a verbal argument and scuffle occurred between two groups of students which was initially resolved by teachers. Police reached there quickly and brought the situation under control.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel has boycotted Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections alleging vote rigging. JCD’s general secretary candidate Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi announced the decision at a press conference on the campus around 3:30 pm on Thursday. She said they have boycotted the polls as polling officers of Islami Chhata Shibir entered the centers an hour before the scheduled start of voting. Besides, Shibir supporters were engaged in vote rigging at different centers  and its female supporters cast multiple votes . JUCSU: Voting resumes at Hall No 15 The balloting began at 9am amid festive mood. The polls mark the first JUCSU elections in 33 years, a milestone development for campus politics and student representation at the university. According to university sources, 11,919 students are eligible to vote, while 178 candidates are vying for 25 JUCSU posts. To ensure smooth proceedings, around 1,200 police personnel have been deployed across the campus.

Voting at Hall No 15 (previously known as  Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall) polling centre resumed around 1:30 pm on Thursday after a two-hour suspension following allegations of vote rigging during Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections. Students said polling at the hall was suspended around 12 pm after Sheikh Sadi Hasan, vice-president (VP) candidate backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), along with 7–8 activists, allegedly stormed the centre and forced female candidates out. JUCSU: Voting suspended at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall Chief Election Commissioner Prof Maniruzzaman said voting was stopped in response to demands from other candidates after they protested against the incident. Balloting for the long-awaited JUCSU elections began at 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 5 pm.

Voting in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JACSU) election is underway peacefully but candidates have expressed concerns over transparency as indelible ink is not being used in most halls. Many voters said that despite repeated complaints polling officials did not arrange the use of ink to mark voters’ fingers which is commonly used to prevent multiple voting. Kamrul Hasan, a candidate for the executive member post of a hall committee, said, “Many are mistakenly voting for only one instead of three on the ballot paper as no proper instructions were given. There is no ink, no voter photos, and no monitoring from the administration. We cannot tell who has voted and who hasn’t. I am also worried about security measures.” Saron Ahsan, general secretary candidate from  “Shompiritir Oikko” panel supported by Bangladesh Chhatra Union, alleged irregularities from the beginning. JUCSU: Voting suspended at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall “In many halls including Hall 21 and Nazrul Hall, indelible ink is not being used. Polling agents are not allowed to identify voters or match them with the lists. In Nazrul Hall, our agent was barred from entering and told to ‘trust the authorities’,” he said. Responding to the allegations, Returning Officer Prof Mir Ferdous said, “We have not received any instructions or materials from the Election Commission. That’s why we cannot arrange for the use of ink.” Polling officer Ebadullah Khan added, “We have no ink, but we are taking signatures in three places. No further instructions have been given to us.” Chief Election Commissioner Prof Moniruzzaman said they gave instructions and also sent instruments to many halls. “I just came to know about the ink issue, and I will speak with the returning officers for details.”

Hafizur Rahman Sohan, vice-president of the central unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was detained from Rabindranath Tagore Hall of Jahangirnagar University (JU) during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections on Thursday. Professor Shafiqul Islam, provost of the hall, said students caught Sohan, a member of the university’s 36th batch, from a room around 11 am and handed him over to the proctorial body. Asked about his unauthorised stay in the residential hall, Sohan said, “I came to the campus at night. I wasn’t feeling well, so I was taking rest at the hall.” In reply to a query on whether he had sought permission, he admitted, “No, I didn’t take any permission.” JUCSU voting in progress amid festive spirit Prof Shafiqul said former students are not allowed to stay in residential halls during an election period as per the code of conduct. “That’s why we handed him over to the proctorial team,” he added. JU Proctor Prof Dr AKM Rashidul Alam said, “We sent security guards to bring him in. Action will be taken against him as per rules.” Voting for the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union elections is underway in a festive and peaceful atmosphere on Thursday.

Voting for the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections is underway in a festive and peaceful atmosphere on Thursday. Balloting began at 9am and will continue until 5pm. The polls mark the first JUCSU elections in 33 years, a milestone development for campus politics and student representation at the university. 33-year wait for JUCSU ends Thursday According to university sources, 11,919 students are eligible to vote, while 178 candidates are vying for 25 JUCSU posts. To ensure smooth proceedings, around 1,200 police personnel have been deployed across the campus.