JnUCSU polls: Shibir-backed panel wins VP, GS and AGS posts

The Shibir-backed “Odommo Jabian” panel, has won the posts of Vice-President (VP), General Secretary (GS) and Assistant General Secretary (AGS) in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election.

The announcement of results began at around 7:30pm on Wednesday. By the time of filing this report, results from all polling centres of the central students’ union had been declared.

Riazul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Jagannath University unit, was elected Vice-President, while unit secretary Abdul Alim Arif secured the General Secretary post. Masud Rana of “Up Bangladesh” won the Assistant General Secretary position.

Md Riazul Islam, the VP candidate from Shibir-backed Odomyo Jobian Oikya panel, was elected VP with 5,591 votes, according to the results announced by the Election Commission at around 12:00pm yesterday,

His nearest rival, AKM Rakib of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed panel, received 4,688 votes.

For the GS post, Shibir-backed Abdul Alim Arif bagged 5,475 votes, while JCD-backed candidate Khadijatul Kubra received 2,203 votes.

In the AGS contest, Shibir-backed Masud Rana secured 5,020 votes. His JCD-backed rival BM Atikur Rahman Tanzil received 3,944 votes.

With the three top posts, the Shibir-backed panel won 15 of the 21-strong JnUCSU.

JCD-backed candidates secured four posts with Riasal Rakib elected as library and seminar secretary, Mahid Hossain as transport secretary, Takrim Ahmed as literature and publication secretary and Sadman Samyo as member.

Only one independent, Jahid Hasan, was elected member.

In reaction to his victory, Riazul said, "We've won because of the spontaneous support of students. Insha'Allah, we will work for them."

Arif said the absence of a central students' union since the institution was given the status of a public university two decades ago had demoralised students. "Now we will work together with everyone for the development of the campus," he said.

AGS-elect Masud Rana said they would work with students to address their demands.

Most of the JCD-backed candidates could not be reached for comments as members of Shibir began celebrating the victory on the campus.

Although the voting was held on Tuesday, the first set of results from four centres was announced at about 7:30am yesterday.

Vote counting was later suspended for nearly six hours because of technical problems and resumed around 12:30am.

Asked about the delay, Election Commissioner Kaniz Fatema Kakolee said counting was suspended for some time due to technical glitches.

"Results were announced after verification through both manual and digital methods to ensure transparency and accuracy," she said.