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.
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.
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 .
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.
