Tight contest for VP, Shibir-backed candidates lead in GS, AGS races

The results of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) elections are being announced in phases, with a closely fought contest unfolding for the vice-president (VP) post, while Shibir-backed panel candidates have taken a clear lead in the general secretary (GS) and assistant general secretary (AGS) races.

According to an analysis of results from eight departmental centres announced since Wednesday morning, the VP race remains extremely close between Shibir-backed candidate Riazul Islam and AKM Rakib, who is backed by the Chhatra Dal–Chhatra Adhikar alliance.

Riazul Islam has so far secured 810 votes, while Rakib has received 804 votes, leaving the Shibir-backed candidate ahead by just six votes.

In contrast, Shibir-backed GS candidate Abdul Alim Arif has gained a commanding lead, receiving 818 votes from the eight departmental centres, compared with 422 votes for Chhatra Dal-backed candidate Khadijatul Kobra. Arif is currently ahead by 396 votes.

Shibir has also taken the lead in the AGS race, with its candidate Masud Rana polling 799 votes, while Chhatra Dal-backed contender Tanzil Ahmed has secured 654 votes, placing Shibir ahead by 145 votes in this post.

However, candidates backed by Chhatra Dal are leading in several other positions, including cultural secretary, library secretary and transport secretary.

Voting for the JnUCSU elections took place on Tuesday from 9:00am to 3:00pm across 178 booths at 39 centres. However, long queues of voters were seen at several departmental centres even after the scheduled voting time had ended.

Vote counting, which began at around 6:00pm, was suspended shortly afterwards due to technical issues. After a pause of nearly five hours, the counting process resumed around midnight.