Independent candidate Zitu elected VP, Shibir’s Mazhar GS

Abdur Rashid Zitu, representing the 'Independent Students' Union' panel, has been elected Vice President (VP) of Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU). 

Md. Mazharul Islam, from the 'Samannito Shikkharhi' panel backed by Chhatra Shibir, secured the General Secretary (GS) position. 

The final results were announced at 7:28 pm on Saturday at the university's Senate building by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Moniruzzaman.

The announcement process began at 5:05 pm when the Chief Election Commissioner and Member Secretary entered the Senate room, observing a minute of silence for a deceased teacher. 

Results were declared starting at 5:15 pm, first for the hall parliament, followed by the central union, with Professor AKM Rashidul Alam, Election Commission Member Secretary and Proctor, presenting the program.

TheJUCSU elections, held after nearly 33 years, took place on Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00 pm across 21 halls. 

Allegations surfaced the night before the election from left-wing organisations and the Chhatra Dal panel, claiming the vote-counting machine supplier was a Jamaat leader. 

Consequently, the Election Commission and university administration opted for manual vote counting. 

The Chhatra Dal boycotted the election at 3:30 pm, followed by four left-wing panels at 7:00 pm. 

Despite 68 candidates from five of the eight panels boycotting, 111 candidates from the remaining three panels participated amid various allegations.

Ballot boxes were moved to the Senate building around 7:00 pm on Thursday, with vote counting starting after 10:00 pm and lasting approximately 40 hours. 

Of the 11,743 total voters (6,150 male, 5,728 female), 8,030 votes were cast, representing about 68% turnout. 

A total of 177 candidates competed for 25 JUCSU posts, including nine for VP, eight for GS, six for Joint General Secretary (female), and 10 for Joint General Secretary (male), alongside 445 candidates for Hall Sangsad positions.