Voting Begins in Festive Atmosphere After 33 Years

Voting for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, held after a 33-year hiatus, commenced today, Thursday, September 11, in a vibrant and festive atmosphere. The polling, which started at 9:00 am and will continue until 5:00 pm, has seen enthusiastic participation from voters and candidates alike, with students flocking to designated polling centres across the campus. Over the past few months, a celebratory mood has prevailed among candidates and voters, fueled by the anticipation of this significant democratic exercise. Alongside the JUCSU election, voting for the university’s 21 residential hall unions is also taking place today.

This election stands out as markedly different from previous ones, primarily due to the absence of a ruling party influence and the lack of factional control over halls, creating a relatively open and free environment. The recent historic victory of Islami Chhatra Shibir in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election has sparked nationwide discussions about the potential outcome of the JUCSU polls. Voting is being conducted across 224 booths in the university’s 21 halls—10 for female students and 11 for male students. Each polling centre is managed by one returning officer, 67 polling officers, and 67 assistant polling officers. Voters will cast their ballots across 40 separate ballots for the central and hall unions, with votes counted using a specialized Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machine.

To ensure a secure and orderly process, approximately 1,200 police personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, are stationed at designated campus locations, operating under the guidance of the Election Commission. The university’s own security force is overseeing the polling centres and halls, supported by two magistrates. This election marks the 10th JUCSU poll in Jahangirnagar University’s history, with 11,897 students eligible to vote, making it the largest democratic exercise in the university’s history.

The JUCSU election features candidates contesting under eight panels, both full and partial. These include a full panel supported by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed ‘Integrated Students’ Alliance,’ the Bangladesh Chhatra Adhikar Parishad’s ‘United Solidarity Forum,’ the Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s ‘Harmony Alliance’ panel, and another faction’s ‘Sangshaptak Parishad.’ Additionally, three independent panels are also in the fray. While students are not explicitly aligning with any single panel, their voting decisions are influenced by factors such as the spirit of the July movement, candidates’ personal image, social activities, and, for candidates backed by student organizations, their political engagement.