JnUCSU polls: JCD-backed candidate leads VP race

The Election Commission has announced the results of thirteen polling centres of Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election.

According to results available until 11:30am on Wednesday (7 January), the Shibir-backed panel “Odommo Jobiyan Oikya” is leading in the general secretary (GS) and assistant general secretary (AGS) posts, while “Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobiyan” panel, backed by Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, has taken the lead in the vice-president (VP) race.

Results from 26 centres, including hall union centres, are yet to be announced.

In the VP contest, AKM Rakib of the Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobiyan panel is leading with 1,457 votes from the 13 centres counted so far. His closest rival, Riazul Islam of the Shibir-backed Odommo Jobiyan Oikya panel, has secured 1,359 votes.

In the GS race, Shibir-backed candidate Abdul Alim Arif has secured 1,444 votes, while Khadijatul Kobra of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and Chhatra Dal-backed panel has received 724 votes.

The Shibir-backed panel is also ahead in the AGS race, with Masud Rana securing 1,346 votes. His nearest rival, Atikur Rahman Tanzil of the Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobiyan panel has obtained 1,199 votes.

While the Shibir-backed panel is leading in the top three posts and most of the editorial positions, the Chhatra Dal–Chhatra Odhikar Parishad-backed panel remains ahead in the library secretary and cultural secretary posts. Several of its candidates are also performing strongly in the executive member races.

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.