Voting for JnUCSU, hall union elections underway

Voting in the Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) and hall union elections began on Tuesday morning at the university campus, with polling starting at 9:00 am as per the pre-announced schedule.

A total of 157 candidates are contesting for 21 posts in the JnUCSU election, including 12 candidates vying for the vice-president (VP) post and nine for the general secretary (GS) position, while 33 candidates are competing in the hall union elections.

Each voter will cast a total of 21 votes using a three-page ballot through Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) forms.

After polling concludes, vote counting will occur at the central auditorium with six counting machines, the process displayed live on three LED screens, and results announced at the same venue.

Four major panels are participating in the JnUCSU election: the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed "Oikyoboddho Nirbhik Jobian", Islami Chhatra Shibir's "Odommo Jobian Oikya", the left-leaning alliance-backed "Maulana Bhashani Brigade", and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti's "Oikyoboddho Jobian".

Strict security measures have been implemented around the election, with law enforcement agencies deployed at polling centres and key campus points.

Special arrangements at entry gates, in place since last night, prevent outsiders from entering, though university officials, employees, students, and concerned journalists are permitted access upon presenting special identification cards, alongside duties performed by BNCC and Rover Scouts members.