Counting of ballots in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election has reached its final stage, with results expected to be declared this afternoon.
Election commissioner Professor Lutful Elahi told reporters at the Senate Building around 11am Saturday that 15 of the 21 centres had been counted. “Officials are working tirelessly, and we expect to publish the final results by 2pm,” he said.
The Election Commission has indicated that counting for an additional three halls will be completed soon. According to unofficial results from the 15 completed halls, the student organisation Chhatra Shibir is leading in 21 out of the 25 central union positions.
Chhatra Shibir holds the lead in all positions except for four key posts: Vice President(VP), Cultural Secretary, Sports Secretary, and Social Service Secretary.
The race for the Vice President (VP) post is particularly close, with Chhatra Shibir-backed candidate Arif Ullah and independent candidate Abdur Rashid Jitu locked in a tight contest. However, Jitu currently holds a slight edge.
Observers suggest that Arif Ullah’s limited campus presence and lack of previous leadership roles within Shibir may have contributed to the narrow margin.
When asked about the official announcement of the election results, Professor AKM Rashidul Alam, Proctor of the university and Secretary of the Election Commission, expressed optimism: “We hope to declare the final results by 2pm today.”
The vote took place on Thursday from 9am to 5pm, with counting beginning later that night at 10:15pm. The process has dragged on for more than three days, delaying the announcement of winners for the university’s first JUCSU election in decades.
The election has been overshadowed by boycotts and allegations of irregularities. Four student panels, including the BNP-backed Chhatra Dal, withdrew from the race, saying the administration failed to ensure a level playing field. One election commissioner and four teachers aligned with the BNP also resigned in protest.
According to officials, JUCSU had 11,897 registered voters — 6,115 male and 5,728 female students. Turnout is estimated at between 67 and 68 percent, making it one of the most competitive student polls in recent years.
The election commission is expected to announce the formal results once the final six centres are tallied.
