The long-awaited Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections were held on Thursday, but the day was marred by chaos, allegations of irregularities, and boycotts as five of the eight participating panels withdrew in protest.

Despite the controversies, the campus was filled with the buzz of festivity as students turned out in large numbers to cast their votes.

Students were enthusiastic throughout the voting period, gathering in crowds at polling centres. However, voting was slow, forcing many to wait in long queues even after the official poll closing time.

A total of five panels, including the one backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), boycotted the polls, calling for a fresh election and reform of the Election Commission. The other panels that withdrew were Sompritir Oikko, Sangsaptak Parishad, Swatantra Angikar Parishad, and the Socialist Student Front (Marxist), demanding the announcement of a new election schedule.

The protesting panels alleged that erasable ink had been used on voters’ fingers, allowing some female students of Islami Chhatri Sangstha to vote multiple times.

They also claimed that CCTV cameras were provided by a company linked to Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, giving Islami Chhatra Shibir supporters undue monitoring advantages.

They added that Shibir leaders were able to enter halls freely, while JCD and other candidates faced obstructions. Agents from the JCD panel were reportedly barred from many halls, and in some halls, candidates’ names were missing from the ballot. Administration officials were also accused of printing “10% extra ballots.” Voting in several centres occurred without electricity during inclement weather, creating further opportunities for rigging.

Tanjila Hossain Boishakhi, general secretary candidate from the JCD-backed panel, said, “The university administration, in collusion with Jamaat-Shibir, has orchestrated election engineering to undermine our victory. This has compelled us to boycott it. The election does not reflect the will of the students.”

“At Polling Centre 15 (former Fazilatunnesa Hall), the indelible ink on voters’ fingers was disappearing, and a ballot paper was found on the floor. For these reasons, voting at this hall was suspended for two hours,” she added.             

Boishakhi further alleged that ballots were printed by a company linked to Jamaat leaders, JCD agents were denied entry, and Shibir supporters engaged in vote rigging, with female supporters casting multiple votes at different centres.

She questioned, “Why did the administration print 10 per cent extra ballots? Were 10–20 per cent of ballots from the Jamaat-linked company given to Shibir? Are our candidates and agents being blocked while fake ballots are cast?”

Sangsaptak Parishad also called for a boycott, claiming vote rigging at Hall 15 where pre-marked ballots were reportedly found.

“Four hundred ballots were sent despite only 299 registered voters at Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall. Similar irregularities were reported at Rafiq-Jabbar Hall. We are boycotting the polls,” the panel said in a statement.

Of the eight panels that initially participated, only three – Shikkharthi Oikya Forum backed by Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Shomonnito Shikkharthi Jote backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, and the Independent Student Alliance – remained for the counting of votes at the time of reporting.

Meanwhile, three pro-BNP teachers stepped down from election duties in protest: Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the Mathematics Department and Provost of Fazilatunnesa Hall, and Shamima Sultana and Nahrin Khan.

Nazrul Islam said, “We came to know that a person affiliated with a particular political group was assigned the responsibility of vote counting, and the same group was also given the task of printing the ballots. The process through which the voting is being conducted and the responsibilities for ballot handling have been assigned is questionable.”

Arif Ullah Adib, VP candidate from Shomonnito Shikkharthi Jote, downplayed the boycotts, claiming they would not affect the overall outcome.

“Chhatra Dal boycotted the election out of fear of a definite defeat. They have raised allegations about the voting machines, claiming links to Jamaat, which is not true. The organisation is affiliated with the BNP, not Jamaat,” he said.

Voting irregularities were reported at Shaheed Tajuddin Hall, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, and Fazilatunnesa Hall, with some polling temporarily suspended due to student protests. Voter turnout increased as the day progressed, though it remained low between 9am and 12pm.

Despite political tensions, students continued to vote until the end, with many standing in long queues. Unofficial data suggested 8,016 students – 68% of registered voters – cast their ballots across 21 residential halls.

Voting extended beyond the official deadline at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Hall and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, with Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall recording the highest turnout: 806 votes from 991 registered voters by 7:30pm.

Professor Dr Md Abdur Razzak, provost of the hall, explained, “We are trying to maintain neutrality. Each student is taking 15 to 20 minutes – or even more – to cast their votes, which is why the process is taking longer.”

Despite the controversies, the elections brought a festive atmosphere to campus, with students eager to experience a democratic environment.  Umme Habiba from Begum Rokeya Hall said, “The anti-discrimination movements led to the fall of autocratic regimes which gave us the opportunity to practise democracy. I hope this democratic environment spreads across the country.”

Mehedi Hasan of Shaheed Rafiq-Jabbar Hall added, “I voted for the first time in my life and I’m very excited that students are finally getting to elect their own representatives. A culture of fair democracy is beginning here on campus. We’re hopeful that this democratic journey will extend to national politics as well.”

Jannatul Ferdous Rupa from Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Hall said, “It feels like a celebration for us. We dressed up, wore henna – the political tension didn’t even bother us. The campus truly belongs to the students, and they are reclaiming their rights. We want JUCSU elections to be held every year.”

Election Commission Secretary Professor Rashidul Alam said, “We haven’t seen any major incidents, apart from a few isolated ones. A festive atmosphere was seen among students, as this was the first election in their university life.”

There are 11,743 registered voters – 6,115 male and 5,728 female students.

A total of 178 candidates are contesting, including 132 male and 46 female candidates, for 25 central JUCSU positions and 315 posts across 21 hall unions.