Jagannath University Holds First-Ever Student Union Elections

Voting is underway Tuesday in the historic Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union elections. This marks the first student government election since the institution was established as a university.

Polling began at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to conclude at 3:30 p.m. Long queues formed early as students gathered to cast their ballots in what many described as a festive and peaceful atmosphere.

Approximately 16,500 students are eligible to vote. The university has set up 178 booths across 39 polling centers. While 38 centers are dedicated to the central union, one specific center has been allocated for the hall parliament, where over 1,200 students are registered to vote.

Candidates are competing across a wide range of portfolios, including science and technology, international affairs, and student welfare. Notably, the women’s hall union features competitive races for positions such as Vice-President and General Secretary.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim emphasized the administration's commitment to a transparent process. "This election is vital for fostering leadership and a democratic environment on campus," he said, urging students to remain disciplined throughout the day.

Security is tight, with university proctors, law enforcement, and volunteer teams stationed across the campus. Proctor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tazammul Haque confirmed that adequate measures are in place to ensure safety until the final results are announced.

The election, originally scheduled for December 30, was postponed following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.