United News of Bangladesh

An 8-year-old madrasa student died after being electrocuted in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Friday afternoon.The deceased was identified as Mohammad Baizid, son of Billal Hossain of Charshimulia village under Guagachia union. He was a student of “Ampara” class at Choto Basurchar Nurania Hafezia Madrasa, where he lived as a residential student. The accident occurred around 3 pm on the rooftop of the madrasa’s second floor. Union-level police camp in Munshiganj to become permanent soon: Home Affairs AdviserAccording to madrasa teachers, Baizid went missing before lunch after Juma prayers, so they started searching and found lying unconscious on the rooftop.He was rushed to Gazaria Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead. “He had died before being brought to the hospital,” said Liaqat Hossain, an emergency unit physician. Gazaria Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Anwar Alam Azad said, “An inquest report has been prepared. We are also checking if there was any negligence on the part of the madrasa authorities. Legal action is underway.”  

Vote counting for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) hall elections has been completed in 20 halls, with only Taramon Bibi Hall pending. According to unofficial results, Shabab was elected vice-president (VP), Riad general secretary (GS), and Arafat assistant general secretary (AGS) from Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. From Bhashani Hall, Abdul Hai Swapon was elected VP, Hridoy Poddar GS and Rakib AGS. In Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, Rakibul Islam secured the VP post, Ali Ahmed GS and Labib AGS. From Hall No. 10 (formerly Mujib Hall), Asif Mia was elected VP, Mehedi Hasan GS and Nadim Mahmud AGS.

The namaz-e-janaza of Jannatul Ferdous, assistant professor at Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Fine Arts who died while on election duty, was held on the university campus after Jumma prayers on Friday. The janaza took place at the central playground attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Kamrul Ahsan, teachers from various departments of the university, including the Department of Philosophy, and her colleagues. In addition, VP candidates from various panels also participated in the prayer. Colleagues remembered her as a dedicated academic and a kind soul who was deeply involved in both teaching and student affairs. JUCSU election results expected between 8pm and 10pm Jannatul fell ill and collapsed at the Election Commission office on campus around 9 am on Friday while inquiring about the ongoing vote counting process for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections, where she was serving as a polling officer. She was immediately rushed to Savar Enam Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared her dead upon arrival. A former student of Jahangirnagar University, Jannatul Ferdous completed her BFA and MFA in Painting from the Department of Fine Art in 2016 and 2018, respectively. She later joined the department as a lecturer and was known for her academic commitment and research interests in painting, Muslim art, and the history of art.

Results of the long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election are expected to be announced between 8pm and 10pm today. The Election Commission member secretary, Prof AKM Rashidul Alam, made the announcement. Vote counting of the election began on the night of September 11. The election ended amid allegations of ballot stuffing and administrative bias. The voting began at 9am on Thursday and was scheduled to end at 5pm. In some centers, voting had ended later than scheduled. As of Friday afternoon, vote counting was still underway. A total of 11,743 students were eligible to cast their votes in the election, with turnout reaching around 67-68 percent. A total of eight full and partial panels contested this year’s JUCSU election, though several later pulled out of the race. Namaz-e-janaza of JU teacher to be held after Jumma prayers The panels that boycotted the polls include the BNP-backed Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Sampritir Oikya, Swatantra Angikar Parishad, Songshoptak Parishad, and candidates from the Socialist Student Front. Some independent candidates also withdrew from the election. Among those who stayed in the race were the Jamaat-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported “Combined Students’ Alliance,” the “Student Unity Forum” backed by Ganatantrik Chhatra Sansad, and the independent “Students’ Sammilon” led by former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Abdur Rashid Jitu. This year, 177 candidates contested 25 posts in the central union. Nine candidates vied for the position of vice president (VP), while eight competed for the general secretary (GS) post. In the women’s 10 residential halls, 59 out of 150 posts had no candidates, while 67 posts had only one candidate each, resulting in elections being held for just 24 posts. In two of the university’s 21 halls, all candidates were elected unopposed.

The namaz-e-janaza of Jannatul Ferdous, a Jahangirnagar University teacher who died while on election duty, will be held after Jumma prayers on Friday in front of the university’s Central Mosque. Associate Professor Shamim Reza, president of the Department of Fine Arts, confirmed it. However, the location of her burial has not yet been decided. Jannatul, an assistant professor in the Department of Fine Arts, had been serving as a polling officer during the ongoing JUCSU and hall union elections. According to witnesses, she collapsed around 9:am on Friday at the Election Commission office on campus after suddenly falling ill. She was immediately taken to Savar Enam Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared her dead upon arrival. Jannatul completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2016 and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 2018 from the same department at Jahangirnagar University. Her academic interests included painting, Muslim art, and the history of art.

A teacher of Jahangirnagar University died on Friday morning while on duty during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections. The deceased was identified as Jannatul Ferdous, assistant professor in the Department of Fine Arts. She had been serving as a polling officer at Pritilata Hall. Associate Professor Shamim Reza, president of the Fine Arts Department, said the incident occurred around 9am, when Jannatul Ferdous visited the Election Commission office on campus to inquire about the status of the ongoing vote-counting process. While there, she suddenly fell ill and collapsed on the floor. She was immediately rushed to Savar Enam Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared her dead upon arrival. Jannatul Ferdous completed her MFA and BFA at Department of Fine Art (Painting Discipline), Jahangirnagar University in 2018 and 2016. Her research interests include Painting, Muslim Art and History of Art.

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.