United News of Bangladesh

The number of overall pass rate and the highest grade GPA-5 achievers fell drastically in the HSC results under Barishal Education Board this year.  The board saw a 62.57 percent pass rate, a fall by 19.28 percent compared to the past year.   Besides, the number of GPA-5 achievers fell by 2, 493 this year compared to the previous year as only 1, 674 students secured the highest grade this year. HSC Results: Girls outshine boys in both pass rate and GPA-5 in Cumilla  Board chairman Prof Yunus Ali Siddiqui announced the results on Thursday morning. A total of 61,481 candidates from 349 institutions across six districts sat for the exams this year, with 29,091 male and 32,390 female students. Of them, 37,066 candidates passed whereas the number 54, 089 last year.    

The results of the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams have been released, with a total pass rate of 58.83%, a fall by 19% compared to the past year. Dhaka Education Board Chairman and Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee Chairman Prof Dr Khondokar Ehsanul Kabir announced the results on Thursday. He said that this year the pass rates are 64.62% in the Dhaka Board, 59.40% in Rajshahi, 48.86% in Cumilla, 50.20% in Jashore, 52.57% in Chattogram, 62.57% in Barishal, 51.86% in Sylhet, 57.49% in Dinajpur, 51.54% in Mymensingh, 75.61% in the Madrasah Education Board, and 62.67% in the Technical Education Board. Of them, the Madrasah Board topped the pass rate with 75.61%while Cumilla Board positioned at the bottom with 48.86%. HSC results to be published on October 16 Ehsanul Kabir informed that that a total of 69,097 students secured GPA-5 this year, a cut by 76, 814 than that of the past year. Examinees will be able to get their results through the websites of the country's education boards, all relevant examination centers, educational institutions and via SMS.  This time, 1,251,111 students participated in the examination under 11 education boards.

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)  confined  the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University  to a building for nearly an hour and a half early Thursday, protesting alleged rigging during the vote count of the Chattogram University Central Students' Union (CUCSU) election. Pro-VC  Professor Mohammad Kamal Uddin was held hostage around 1:00am on Thursday at the Faculty of Engineering’s IT Building where the vote counting was underway. Chhatra Dal leaders alleged that their Vice President (VP) candidate for the Suhrawardy Hall students' union election was defeated through manipulation. They demanded a re-count of the votes cast in Room 312 of the Engineering Faculty. According to campus sources, police arrived around 2:30am in an attempt to escort the Pro-VC from the building. CUCSU Elections: Shibir wins VP and GS posts, Chhatra Dal tops in AGS race However, as they reached the main gate of the building, Chhatra Dal activists again blocked their way, preventing his exit. The Pro-VC was seen in discussions with Chhatra Dal's president, general secretary, and other leaders around 3 pm regarding the allegations raised over the Suhrawardy Hall vote. Chhatra Dal claimed that their VP candidate, Jamadiul Awwal, received 1,203 votes, while Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidate Niamat Ullah allegedly won the post by securing 1,206 votes — a margin the JCD leaders suspect resulted from irregularities. When asked about the incident, Pro-VC Professor Mohammad Kamal Uddin told reporters, “After the results were announced, I was leaving the hall when a group of students blocked my way, demanding a re-count of the votes. I informed them that such matters should be addressed to the election commissioner. But they did not accept that and kept me confined in a room for nearly 90 minutes. Later, police came and rescued me.”

The Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel has secured a sweeping victory in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election winning 24 posts including that of vice president (VP) and general secretary (GS). The assistant general secretary (AGS) post went to a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) candidate. According to results compiled until around 3:45 am Thursday, Shibir-supported candidates under the 'Sampreetir Shikkharthi Jote' panel won the top two posts.  Ibrahim Hossain Rony was elected VP with 7,983 votes, while Saeed Bin Habib won the GS post with 8,031 votes. Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal-backed candidate Ayubur Rahman secured the AGS post, receiving 5,254 votes. Apart from VP and GS, Islami Chhatra Shibir candidates won 22 other posts while Chhatra Dal secured another post and one position went to an independent candidate. Voting took place peacefully on Wednesday from 9 am to 4 pm, with only a few isolated incidents reported, according to the Election Commission. CUCSU voting underway peacefully amid allegations of irregularities Voting was conducted on paper ballots and counting was done using OMR machines. Results were displayed live on 14 LED screens. University authorities said the official results would be formally announced later Thursday on completion of the vote count. Chittagong University pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Kamal Uddin said the vote counting has been completed and now preparations are underway to announce the results formally. The voting was held in five faculties of the university, across 15 centers designated for 15 residential halls.  A total of 689 booths were set up in 60 rooms, with voter turnout reaching around 60 percent by 4 pm. The entire polling and counting process was displayed live on 14 LED screens across the campus.  Ballot papers were used for voting and the results were processed using Optical Mark Reader (OMR) machines. According to the Election Commission, 24 candidates  vied for vice president (VP), 22 for general secretary (GS), and 21 for assistant general secretary (AGS).  CUCSU election to be held tomorrow amid festive atmosphere Other portfolios include sports, culture, publications, welfare, research and IT. Each hall and hostel union has 14 posts, with 908 candidates in total. Meanwhile, leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)  confined  the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University  to a building for nearly an hour and a half early Thursday, protesting alleged rigging during the vote count of the Chattogram University Central Students' Union (CUCSU) election. Pro-VC  Professor Mohammad Kamal Uddin was held hostage around 1:00am at the Faculty of Engineering’s IT Building where the vote counting was underway. Chhatra Dal leaders alleged that their Vice President (VP) candidate for the Suhrawardy Hall students' union election was defeated through manipulation. They demanded a re-count of the votes cast in Room 312 of the Engineering Faculty. According to campus sources, police arrived around 2:30am in an attempt to escort the Pro-VC from the building. However, as they reached the main gate of the building, Chhatra Dal activists again blocked their way, preventing his exit. The Pro-VC was seen in discussions with Chhatra Dal's president, general secretary, and other leaders around 3 pm regarding the allegations raised over the Suhrawardy Hall vote. Chhatra Dal claimed that their VP candidate, Jamadiul Awwal, received 1,203 votes, while Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidate Niamat Ullah allegedly won the post by securing 1,206 votes — a margin the JCD leaders suspect resulted from irregularities. When asked about the incident, Pro-VC Professor Mohammad Kamal Uddin told reporters, “After the results were announced, I was leaving the hall when a group of students blocked my way, demanding a re-count of the votes. I informed them that such matters should be addressed to the election commissioner. But they did not accept that and kept me confined in a room for nearly 90 minutes. Later, police came and rescued me.”   

The long-awaited elections  to the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall unions and student representatives in the university senate are underway today (Thursday) after a 35-year hiatus. This marks the 17th RUCSU election in the 72-year history of Rajshahi University (RU).  Like other public universities in the country, no student union polls have been held at RU since 1990. After several delays and rescheduled dates, students are finally exercising their voting rights to elect their representatives.  The balloting began at 9 am and will continue until 4 pm. No extra ballots printed for RUCSU election: EC Election Commissioner Professor Dr Mustafa Kamal Akand on Wednesday said that no extra ballot papers have been printed for the election. Speaking at a press conference at the university’s Senate Building, he said the RUCSU ballot papers were not printed from any random or nameless press.  “We assigned experienced printers who usually handle university exams or question papers,” he said. “There are 28,901 voters, and we have printed exactly 28,901 ballots,” Dr Kamal added, claiming that there is no scope for any discrepancy. Voting is taking place in 17 centres across nine academic buildings, with a total of 990 booths. Prof Akand said, “We have already procured a sufficient number of watermark reader machines for vote counting. These machines will allow us to publish results within 15 to 17 hours.” He said all election activities are being monitored through CCTV cameras, and transparent ballot boxes are being used. A total of 212 teachers are overseeing the election, including 17 presiding officers and the rest serving as assistant presiding officers.  CUCSU voting underway peacefully amid allegations of irregularities Besides, 91 university officials are performing duties as polling officers. Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr F Nazrul Islam, Chief Returning Officer Prof Dr Setaur Rahman, and other election commissioners were also present at the briefing. According to the commission, the total number of voters stands at 28,901, including 11,305 female students and 17,595 male students. This time, 247 candidates are contesting 23 posts in the central RUCSU election, while 58 candidates are vying for 5 seats in the university senate. For the hall union polls, 597 candidates are contesting 252 posts across 17 residential halls, with 42 candidates elected unopposed. In the central RUCSU race, 18 candidates are running for vice president (VP), 13 for general secretary (GS), and 16 for assistant general secretary (AGS). To ensure transparency, the university authorities have formed a 10-member committee to monitor the overall conduct of the election, headed by retired economics professor M Rafiqul Islam. For security, around 2,000 police personnel, along with six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and 12 teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have been deployed, said Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian.

Exactly 28,901 ballot papers—matching the number of registered voters—have been printed for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Senate, and hall union elections scheduled for Thursday, the Election Commission confirmed. “There are no extra ballots. We’ve printed exactly 28,901, equal to the number of voters,” Election Commissioner Prof Dr. Mostafa Kamal Akand said at a press conference on Wednesday. “Not a single one more or less. Each polling centre will receive the precise number of ballots allocated. There is no scope for excess or shortage,” he said. In addition, he clarified that the ballots were printed only by trusted presses experienced in handling university examination materials, not by any random or unverified printing houses, saying, “We ensured that professionals with experience in university exams and question papers handled the printing.” He also said that printing extra ballot papers is not a practice anywhere in the world. “Voting will take place in 17 centres across 9 academic buildings, comprising 990 booths,” he added. The commissioner also said the university has procured a sufficient number of watermark reader machines for vote counting, which will allow results to be announced within 15 to 17 hours after the polls close. “All election activities will be under CCTV surveillance, and transparent ballot boxes will be used to ensure transparency,” Prof Akand said. A total of 212 teachers are involved in conducting the polls, 17 as presiding officers and the rest as assistant presiding officers, along with 91 polling officers. Besides, a total of 2,000 police personnel, 6 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and 12 platoons of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed to ensure security, he said. Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr F Nazrul Islam, Chief Returning Officer Prof Dr Setaur Rahman, and other election commissioners were present. Security heightened ahead of RUCSU polls This year, RUCSU has 28,901 registered voters, including 11,305 female and 17,595 male students. In the central student union election, 247 candidates are contesting 23 posts, while 58 candidates are competing for five Senate seats. A total of 18 candidates are contesting for the position of Vice President (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). In the hall union polls, 597 candidates are contesting for 252 posts across 17 halls, of which 42 candidates have been elected unopposed. Meanwhile, 58 candidates are contesting for 5 Senate seats. The university administration has also formed a 10-member monitoring committee headed by retired economics professor Dr M Rafiqul Islam to observe and report on the overall election atmosphere. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian said that multiple law enforcement units are working jointly to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.    

Voting in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election is underway peacefully, though allegations of irregularities centering a polling station have surfaced. Candidates backed by Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Dal alleged that ballots were being cast without signature from the presiding officer at room No-214 of the IT Building centre. Shibir-supported vice president candidate Ibrahim Roni alleged their polling agents informed them that 15–20 ballot papers without the presiding officer’s signature were dropped into the box in room No-214. “No ballot can be accepted without signature. Later, we were told that the Election Commission will review the issue in front of the agents and decide,” he said. Historic CUCSU elections underway after 35 years Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal-backed VP contestant Sajjad Hossain also alleged that the indelible ink applied to voters’ thumbs before casting ballots was being wiped off. Acknowledging the issue, assistant presiding officer of the room Prof Hasan Khaled Rauf said 12 unsigned ballots were mistakenly cast. “The polling agents made the mistake. They are new and inexperienced. However, the entire process is being monitored under CCTV surveillance, ensuring transparency,” he said, adding that the Election Commission is taking action in this regard. The CUCSU polls, being held on Wednesday for the first time in 35 years, began at 9 am and will continue until 4 pm. The voting is going on across 15 centres in five buildings under Business Administration, Social Sciences, Science, and Arts & Humanities faculties amid a festive atmosphere.  

After 35 years, elections to the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall unions are being held today (Wednesday). Voting for the 7th CUCSU election runs from 9am to 4pm, with counting to begin immediately after polls close.  Fourteen LED screens across the campus will display live updates. Results of the central union will be announced from the Faculty of Business Administration, while hall union results will come from respective centres, according to university authorities. A total of 27,518 students — 16,189 male and 11,329 female — are eligible to vote.  Altogether 415 candidates are contesting 26 CUCSU posts. Polling is taking place in 15 centres across five faculties, including Business Administration, Social Sciences, Science, and Arts and Humanities. An additional booth has been set up at the CUCSU building for differently-abled students. Shibir unveils panel for CUCSU polls The Election Commission has arranged 700 booths in 60 rooms, each equipped with five ballot boxes and five agents. Maximum 500 voters are allowed per centre. Thirteen panels and several independent candidates are contesting the polls. Twenty-four are vying for vice president (VP), 22 for general secretary (GS), and 21 for assistant general secretary (AGS). Other portfolios include sports, culture, publications, welfare, research and IT. Each hall and hostel union has 14 posts, with 908 candidates in total. Each voter will cast up to 40 votes on five ballot papers. Ballot counting will be conducted through the Optical Mark Reader (OMR) system. To facilitate transportation, 11 shuttle train trips and 30 buses have been arranged for students. The entire campus has been placed under tight security, with about 1,700 personnel — including police, RAB, APBN, and BGB members — deployed alongside university security staff, Rover Scouts, and BNCC volunteers. The polls schedule was announced on August 28, followed by the final voter list on September 11. Although initially set for October 12, the election was rescheduled to October 15 following student demands. Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr Munir Uddin said voting is being held across five faculties under CCTV surveillance. Chittagong University abuzz as CUCSU campaign nears end Established in 1966, Chittagong University held its first CUCSU election in 1970.  The last election took place on February 8, 1990, when the Shwarba Daliyo Chatra Oikkwo defeated Islami Chhatra Shibir to secure a majority in both CUCSU and hall unions. Nazim Uddin of Jatiya Chhatra League was elected VP, while Azim Uddin Ahmed of Socialist Students’ Front became GS.

The authorities concerned have taken strict security measures ahead of Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Senate student representative, and hall union elections scheduled for Thursday. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian said that 2,000 police personnel, 12 platoons of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), and six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will remain deployed across the campus during the election period. He said these after a coordination meeting with law enforcement and university representatives at the university administration building on Tuesday afternoon. “The law enforcement personnel will remain on duty on October 15, 16, and 17, with the period extendable if necessary. Rab and BGB will set up temporary camps within the campus area,” the commissioner added. He also said that no intelligence indicates any untoward incidents so far and the campus situation is peaceful and under control. University Proctor Prof Mahbubur Rahman highlighted the cordial relationship between the administration and local residents, saying that the election environment is normal with no threat of unrest. RUCSU elections rescheduled for October 16 RUCSU Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam said the election commission has coordinated with law enforcement agencies to ensure a smooth electoral process before, during, and after the elections. He also said that preparations have been completed to conduct a free, fair, and festive election. The election campaign concluded on Tuesday amid accusations between candidates. Nazrul Islam expressed hope that the students’ participation in a peaceful environment will set an example of democratic values in the upcoming election.  

A festive mood has been prevailing on the greenery campus of Chittagong University (CU) as the long-awaited Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election is going to be held on Wednesday amid tight security, after nearly three decades. The election will form a 26-member central student council for a one-year term, alongside councils for 14 halls and one hostel. Moreover, five nominated CUCSU members will represent students in the university’s highest policy-making body senate. The university authorities have already completed all preparations, including four-tier security arrangements and the presence of magistrates. Voting will take place across five faculties in 60 classrooms with 700 booths. Shuttle trains and buses have been arranged for students’ campus commute while all polling centres have been brought under CCTV surveillance. The election campaign concluded at midnight on Monday and preparations for voting are now underway. Some candidates expressed satisfaction with the overall arrangements, with others raising concerns, though they remain hopeful that the administration will ensure a smooth and orderly election. Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-7) commander Lt. Col Mohammad Hafiz Uddin said that eight plainclothes teams will remain deployed on the campus to monitor the overall security situation. CU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Muhammad Yeahia Akhter urged students to participate actively and help conduct the election in a festive, disciplined manner. This seventh CUCSU election involves 27,516 voters and 908 candidates, including 415 contesting the 26 central council seats through 13 panels and independent nominations. Each voter will cast five ballots for the central council and for 40 candidates in the hall unions. The last CUCSU election took place on February 8, 1990, when the All-Party Student Unity defeated Chhatra Shibir.