The Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election on Thursday has been marked by a series of allegations and counter allegations between rival panels, with voting temporarily suspended in two halls.
At Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall, voting was halted for about 45 minutes due to errors in the index cards, where names and photographs appeared mismatched. According to students, Chhatra Dal vice president candidate Sheikh Sadi visited the hall during the suspension.
Some students expressed their displeasure with slogans directed at him, saying, “No candidate should enter the centre while we are waiting in long lines.” Hall Provost Lutful Elahi said there was no disorder in the hall and the issue was promptly addressed.
Voting has now resumed at Tajuddin Ahmad Hall and will continue until 5pm.
Meanwhile, at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, voting was suspended for nearly two hour following allegations of Shibir panel misconduct.
Professor Nahrin Islam Khan, a member of the election commission, said, “When I visited the center, I saw two women outside a closed room marking voters’ fingers with pens. This is the responsibility of polling officers inside the center.”
The incident led to an argument with the hall’s Returning Officer Shabnam Ferdousi, until the election commission’s secretary intervened to restore order. Election Commission member AKM Rashidul Alam described the situation as a misunderstanding that has now been resolved.
He confirmed that no fraudulent voting occurred and that the election is proceeding normally.
During the temporary suspensions, journalists were not allowed inside the halls, and internet speeds were reportedly slowed on purpose. After the situation was brought under control, connectivity returned to normal.
