JUCSU polls: JU lecturer dies on electoral duty

A lecturer of Jahangirnagar University (JU) died on Friday morning while performing election duty during the ongoing Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) polls.

The deceased was identified as Jannatul Ferdous, a lecturer of the university's Fine Arts Department. She fell ill during the vote-counting process and died on the way to the hospital.

Associate Professor Shamim Reza, chairman of the Fine Arts Department, said she was serving as a polling officer at Pritilata Hall while I was the returning officer there. 

"During the counting in the morning, she suddenly collapsed at the entrance. She was immediately taken to Enam Medical College Hospital, but she passed away on the way," he added.

JU Proctor and Election Commission member-secretary Professor Dr A K M Rashidul Alam said, "As the counting of all hall union votes could not be completed at night due to fatigue and absence of polling agents, the Pritilata Hall counting was scheduled for the morning. She came with her colleagues to the counting centre but collapsed near the Senate Hall gate. An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, but she had already breathed her last."

The incident cast a pall of gloom over the campus. Teachers, students and colleagues expressed deep shock and extended condolences to the bereaved family.