CUCSU elections: Chhatra Shibir wins 24 posts including VP and GS

Islami Chhatra Shibir has regained leadership of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) after 44 years. Candidates from the Shibir-backed panel Sampreetir Shikkharthi Jote have won 24 posts, including vice president (VP) and general secretary (GS).

The Election Commission announced the results of the seventh CUCSU election at 4:30am on Thursday. In the VP race, Shibir’s Md Ibrahim Hossain was elected with 7,983 votes. He is the president of the organisation’s Chattogram city south unit and an MPhil student in the Department of History. His closest rival, Chhatra Dal’s Sazzad Hossain, received 4,374 votes.

For the GS post, Shibir panel’s Saeed Bin Habib was elected with 8,031 votes. He is the literary secretary of the university unit of Chhatra Shibir and a postgraduate student in the Department of History. His nearest competitor, Chhatra Dal’s Md Shafayat, received 2,734 votes.

Chief Election Commissioner Professor Monir Uddin, while announcing the results, said the election was held in a peaceful and competitive environment, and both candidates and voters participated in a festive spirit.

Elections were held for 26 posts in CUCSU. Of these, only one post was won by a Chhatra Dal panel candidate — Ayubur Rahman, who was elected assistant general secretary (AGS) with 7,014 votes. His closest rival from the Shibir panel, Sazzat Hossain, received 5,045 votes. In addition, a student named Tamanna Mahbub won the position of assistant games and sports secretary.

The last time Chhatra Shibir won leadership at the university was in the 1981 CUCSU election, when Jasim Uddin Sarkar became VP and Abdul Gaffar became GS — both were then leaders of the university’s Chhatra Shibir.

After 44 long years, Shibir-backed candidates have once again returned to the leadership of CUCSU.

Voting in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall council elections began this morning, Wednesday, marking the first such polls in 35 years.

Polling started at 9:00 am and will continue until 4:00 pm, though voting at several centres began slightly late. Students were seen standing in queues, eagerly casting their ballots—many voting in a student union election for the first time in their university lives.

This year, polling centres have been set up in five faculty buildings. Supporters of different contesting panels were seen gathered around the centres.

At the Faculty of Science polling centre, Mohammad Alamgir and Mohammad Ejazul Haque, both second-year students of the Physics Department, told Prothom Alo that they were excited to vote for the first time at the university.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity,” one of them said.

Another student, Mohammad Abdullah, said the election campaign had been peaceful and he hoped the same calm environment would continue throughout the voting day.

This year’s CUCSU election involves 27,516 registered voters, including 11,156 female students.

The first shuttle train of the day reached the University of Chittagong campus at 8:20 am, carrying students eager to cast their votes in the long-awaited Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election.

Unlike other days, none of the passengers were heading to classes or exams—their sole purpose today was to vote.

After getting off the train, Umme Humaira, a fourth-year student of the Department of International Relations, told Prothom Alo, “After 35 years, we finally have a CUCSU election. It’s a matter of pride for us, and we want to choose the most deserving candidates.”

Parmita Chakraborty, a first-year student of the Department of Communication and Journalism, said, “Usually, we come to campus for classes and exams, but today we came as voters—to witness history being made.”

The long-awaited CUCSU and Hall Union elections are being held today, Wednesday. Students will be able to cast their votes from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Thousands of students arrived on the campus early in the morning aboard the first shuttle train, which departed Chittagong Railway Station at 7:20 am and reached the university at 8:20 am.

Stepping off the train, the students made their way towards the faculty buildings, where polling stations have been set up in five faculties.

This year’s election involves 27,516 registered voters, including 11,156 female students. A total of 908 candidates are contesting — 415 for 26 central union posts, and 493 for 210 positions across 14 residential halls and one hostel.

In the central union, 24 candidates are vying for the vice-president (VP) post, 22 for general secretary (GS), and 22 for assistant general secretary (AGS).

Voting in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and Hall Union elections has begun—half an hour behind schedule. Although polling was set to start at 9:00 am today, Wednesday, it finally began around 9:30 am.

Students, many of whom are casting their ballots in a student union election for the first time in their university lives, expressed excitement and enthusiasm as they arrived to vote.

Polling booths have been set up across five faculty buildings, with campaign workers and supporters from different panels gathered outside the centres.

Assistant returning officer SM Sharifuzzaman, who is overseeing the polling centre at the Faculty of Engineering, told Prothom Alo that voting began at 9:30 am in accordance with official instructions and that students are casting their votes peacefully.

Polling will continue until 4:00 pm, he said, adding that any student who queues before the closing time will be allowed to vote.

Riju Lakshmi Abarodh, the vice-president (VP) candidate from Droho Porshod — a joint panel formed by a faction of the Chhatra Union and the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (BASAD) — cast his vote on the second floor of the Faculty of Engineering building at the University of Chittagong around 9:40 am.

Speaking to Prothom Alo after voting, Riju Lakshmi said, “Voter turnout is still low, but I’m hopeful that more students will come to cast their votes. So far, the situation remains calm, and I hope it stays that way throughout the day.”

Expressing frustration over inadequate transport facilities for voters, he added, “All vehicular movement inside the campus has been halted, causing serious inconvenience for students. The administration has made no arrangements for those coming from the main gate to the faculty buildings. This is yet another example of the ongoing mismanagement we’ve been witnessing.”

Payel Muhuri, a second-year student of Political Science, cast her vote at the Dr Muhammad Yunus Building (Faculty of Social Sciences) with visible excitement.

“I came from Raozan,” she told Prothom Alo. “Usually I come to campus for classes, but today I came to vote. It’s my first time voting — and it feels great!”

“It truly feels like a festival to witness an election taking place while we’re still students on campus. The environment so far seems peaceful and beautiful. I hope this election helps us choose capable representatives,” Payel added.

At the Faculty of Business Administration, Sabiha Absar, a third-year student of the Institute of Fine Arts, shared a similar sense of joy.

“This is the first vote of my life — and I cast 40 at once!” she laughed. “Although I’m a registered voter, I’ve never had the chance to vote in national or local elections. So it feels wonderful to be able to do so in the CUCSU election.”

Standing beside her, fellow voter Sabrina Sultana said, “I prepared for this as if I were preparing for an exam. I carefully reviewed all the candidates and voted for those who will genuinely work for the welfare of students.”

Md Safayat Hossain, the general secretary (GS) candidate from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) panel, has alleged that the supposedly indelible ink used on voters’ fingers is washing off easily.

After casting his vote around 10:00 am on Wednesday in Room No. 3124 of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Safayat told Prothom Alo, “The situation so far is peaceful. Only one shuttle train has arrived on campus, so there aren’t many students yet. But I expect more to come as the day progresses.”

Safayat raised the ink issue directly with election commissioner professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, who was present at the centre.

In response, the commissioner said that even if the ink fades, “students’ names are being crossed off the voter list after casting their votes, so there’s no risk of duplication.”

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed panel’s vice-president (VP) candidate, Sazzad Hossain, cast his vote in the Chattogram University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) elections today.

He voted at the Engineering Faculty building polling centre between 10:30 and 11:00 am.

After casting his vote, Sazzad Hossain stated, “We will respect whatever decision the students make. Regardless of victory or defeat, we will continue to stand by the students as we always have. However, the manner in which the voting process is being conducted is regrettable.”

He further alleged, “After voting, voters’ fingers are being marked with ink. Yet, the ink is coming off, which could allow an individual to cast multiple times. We want to know why this is happening.”

Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported panel’s vice-president (VP) candidate in the CUCSU election, Mohammad Ibrahim Hossain cast his vote this morning.

He voted between 10:30 am and 11:00 am at the Engineering Faculty building polling centre.

After voting, Ibrahim Hossain told newspersons, “We had requested the use of indelible ink, but it was not applied. This has raised concerns regarding the impartiality of the election commission.”

He further stated, “The voting process is proceeding very slowly. As a result, we have learned that a few votes have been cast at the Social Sciences Faculty. There could be nothing more regrettable for the administration and election commission if students come to vote and leave without casting their ballots.”

The Chhatra Shibir VP candidate also alleged, “We have received reports that votes were cast in one polling room without the polling officer’s signature. The election commission cannot afford to act with such negligence. Furthermore, many non-students are moving around with ID cards, which everyone should be aware of.”

Chittagong University pro-vice-chancellor (administration) Md. Kamal Uddin has assured newspersons that votes in the CUCSU elections will be counted using OMR machines. No time will be wasted unnecessarily.

He stated that the authorities are making every effort to announce the results as swiftly as possible.

Pro-vice-chancellor Kamal Uddin made the remarks on Wednesday morning while inspecting polling centres in the Faculty of Science, accompanied by vice-chancellor Muhammad Yeahia Akhter.

Pro-vice-chancellor (academic) Shamim Uddin Khan was also present there.

They spoke with the teachers and officials responsible for overseeing the voting process.

Concerns have been raised over the indelible ink applied to voters’ fingers in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and Hall Union elections, as it reportedly comes off after a single rub.

Professor Monir Uddin, Chief Election Commissioner of CUCSU, addressed the issue.

Speaking at a press conference at the CUCSU building around 11:30 am on Wednesday, professor Monir Uddin explained, “We contacted the national election commission, which informed us that indelible ink is generally imported from Germany for national elections and is destroyed after use. Therefore, it is not possible for us to procure it for this election.”

He added that, in the meantime, voters’ fingers are being marked with an ordinary marker instead.

Regarding the ink rubbing off easily, the chief election commissioner assured, “This will not create any problems, as voters are being verified in multiple stages.”

When asked about the discovery of 12 ballots without signatures at the Faculty of IT polling centre, he said, “This occurred inadvertently. The responsible personnel at the centre will sign the ballots separately.”

Although polling was scheduled to begin at 9:00 am, voting started half an hour late.

On this, Professor Monir Uddin commented, “Voting commenced at 9:00 am, though in some centres there were minor delays of 10–15 minutes.”

As of 12:15 pm today, 21 per cent of voters had cast their ballots at the engineering faculty polling centre in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and Hall Union elections.

Out of a total of 4,036 registered voters at this centre, 853 students had voted by noon.

Speaking around 12:15 pm, election commissioner professor Md. Zafar Ullah Talukdar noted, “Voter turnout is increasing as the day progresses. Polling will continue until 4:00 pm.”

At this centre, students from Suhrawardy Hall are casting their votes, while students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are typically allocated seats at this hall.

Reshma Akhter arrived at the polling centre with her 20-month-old child in her arms. She had initially planned to leave the child at home before coming to vote, but when the little one began crying, she brought him along and joined the long queue of voters.

She waited in line for two hours before finally getting the chance to cast her vote. At around 1:00 pm on Wednesday, Reshma voted in a booth on the second floor of the Faculty of Business Administration building at Chittagong University.

Speaking to Prothom Alo after leaving the booth, Reshma said, “I came and joined the queue at 11:00 am, and only managed to vote at 1:00 pm. It was difficult to stand for so long with my child in my arms, but I’m happy that I was able to vote. My 20-month-old son, Rafayet Abdullah, also became a witness to this historic day.”

Reshma is a postgraduate student in the Department of History at the university.

Around 40 per cent of votes had been cast by 2:00 pm, four and a half hours into polling for the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall elections. That means, roughly 11,000 ballots had been cast.

Election commissioner GH Habib confirmed the figure to Prothom Alo.

Although polling was scheduled to begin at 9:00 am, it actually commenced at around 9:30 am.

This year, a total of 27,516 students registered to vote in the CUCSU election, including 11,156 female students.

Altogether, 908 candidates are contesting. Of them, 415 are vying for 26 central positions, while 493 are contesting in 14 halls and one hostel.

Visually impaired voter Golam Kibria has alleged that the voting process lacks transparency.

He said, “Before the election, 76 of us had been demanding that we be allowed to vote using the Braille system. However, the commission arranged for us to vote with the assistance of another person. This means my vote is no longer secret.”

Golam Kibria made these allegations to newspersons in front of the CUCSU building this afternoon after observing the situation there.

He added, “Many visually impaired voters have already cast their ballots, but their experience has not been good. I haven’t voted yet — I’m still thinking about how to do it with someone else’s help.”

When contacted, election commission member secretary AKM Ariful Haque Siddique told Prothom Alo, “We have made arrangements for visually impaired voters. They are casting their votes in private booths accompanied by assistants. There should not be any issue.”

Binirman Student Unity Panel’s election observer Towhidul Islam alleged that many ballots were cast into the boxes at the Faculty of Business Administration center without the signature of the election officer.

Around 2:30 p.m, Towhidul Islam told Prothom Alo, “400 ballot papers had no signatures at the Faculty of Business Administration. This is irregular.” The ballot papers include a designated space for the election officer’s signature.

According to the election day guidelines issued by the Election Commission Office, every ballot paper must bear the signature of the designated election officer.

In response, Kawsar Hamid, Assistant Presiding Officer in charge of Room 336 of the Faculty of Business Administration, told Prothom Alo, “Initially, there were no instructions to sign the ballots. After receiving the complaint, we started signing them.”

He added, “Polling agents of the candidates were present at the center, and students cast their votes on those unsigned ballots in their presence. There may have been around 50 such ballots in my assigned room, but I’m unaware of what happened in other rooms.”

Chief Election Commissioner Professor Monir Uddin said that around 80 voters at the Faculty of Business Administration and 16 at the Faculty of Engineering centers had voted using unsigned ballots. “We have instructed officials to prepare a list of all unsigned ballots. Once the full list is received, necessary measures will be taken,” he said.

Voting for the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall union elections concluded today (Wednesday) at 4:00 p.m. Although the official voting time ended at 4, students already in line were allowed to cast their votes afterward.

Following the end of voting, candidates and their supporters gathered in front of various centres, eagerly awaiting the results.

Chief Election Commissioner Md Monir Uddin told Prothom Alo that the voting ended peacefully and in an orderly manner at 4 p.m.

“Ballots will now be separated by centers and taken to the Dean’s office, where counting will take place in front of cameras,” he said.

This year’s election saw a day full of enthusiasm and excitement among voters.

However, several panels, including the Chhatra Dal-backed one, alleged irregularities such as unsigned ballot papers, disappearing indelible ink, and disorganization during the voting process.

Jatiyatabi Chhatra Dal has accused the Election Commission of bias, following the conclusion of voting in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election.

Around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Abdullah Al Noman, General Secretary of the Chittagong University unit of the Chhatra Dal, told reporters in front of the Faculty of Business Administration, “This Election Commissioner is incompetent. The trust and expectation of a fair and impartial election under such a spineless Election Commissioner no longer exist.”

Noman further said, “There have been eight complaints of code of conduct violations against one panel. The Election Commission has failed to ensure the prescribed punishment for these violations, simply to favor a particular group.”

He added, “This administration is Jamaat-leaning and the Election Commission is spineless. Despite knowing this, we are participating in the election to uphold the democratic process and protect the interests of general students. But we’ve seen that, like the DUCSU and JUCSU elections, this too is turning into a farcical one.”

During Noman’s remarks, several other panel candidates stood beside him, including Mahfuzur Rahman, the VP candidate from the Independent Students’ Alliance; Riju Lakshmi Abarodh, the VP candidate from the Droh Parishad panel; and Sakib Mahmud Rumi, the GS candidate from the Sarbojonin Students’ Union. They all expressed agreement with Noman’s statement.

Sajjad Hossain, the VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, said, “The Election Commission had assured us that they would learn from the irregularities and vote rigging in the DUCSU and JUCSU elections and deliver a fair CUCSU election. They also promised to use indelible ink, but they failed to keep that promise.”

Vote counting for the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall unions is underway. The counting began around 5:15pm today, Wednesday. Election Commissioner Professor Md Anwar Hossain confirmed that the counting is taking place in the presence of polling agents.

According to Election Commission sources, the counting is being conducted at five dean offices. The results of the hall unions will be announced separately from each of these five offices, while the results of the central union will be announced in front of the Faculty of Business Administration.

Election Commissioner Anwar Hossain told Prothom Alo that the entire vote-counting process is being monitored through CCTV cameras.

Three panels have alleged that the Chittagong University administration and the Election Commission acted in a biased manner during the CUCSU (Chittagong University Central Students’ Union) election. The allegations were made this afternoon, Wednesday, at separate press conferences by the left-leaning Boichitrer Oikkya; Droho Parishad, supported by a faction of the Chhatra Union and the Chhatra Front (BASAD); and the Ahingsha Shikkharthi Oikkya panel.

The press conferences were held in front of the CUCSU building. Droho Parishad’s vice-president candidate, Riju Lakshmi Abarodh, said, “From the very beginning, the administration has acted with bias. These issues must be resolved.”

Boichitrer Oikkya panel’s vice-president candidate, Dhrubo Barua, said, “We are seeing various signs that the election has not been free and fair. … There are multiple allegations against the panel supported by the Shibir, and also against the Chhatra Dal. The administration has not properly carried out its responsibilities.”

Md Ibrahim Hossain, the vice-president candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir–backed panel in the CUCSU election, has alleged that outsiders were seen at polling centers along with several people, including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Alaul Hall GS candidate. He said that no one was supposed to enter the university premises without an identity card, yet the administration failed to prevent the entry of outsiders.

Ibrahim Hossain made these allegations at a press conference held at 6:00pm today, Wednesday, in front of the CUCSU building. He also accused the university administration and the Election Commission of bias for not taking action against Chhatra Dal leaders who violated the code of conduct.

At the press conference, the Shibir-backed VP candidate said, “The ink used on voters’ fingers was supposed to be indelible, but we saw that it could be wiped off. The Election Commission and the administration should have been more careful about this.”

He added that there were allegations that 10 to 15 ballots were issued at the Faculty of Engineering building without the presiding officer’s signature. “We were told it happened due to carelessness,” he said, “but the presiding officer must still be held accountable for this negligence.”

Citing irregularities, the 'Revolution for State of Humanity' panel, supported by the World Insoniyat Biplob Student Front, has announced its boycott of the CUCSU election and demanded a re-vote.

The panel made the announcement at a press conference held around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in front of the CUCSU building.

Vice-president candidate Kefayet Ullah read out a written statement at the event. He said, “The university administration has shown bias throughout the day. Whenever we filed complaints, we saw the administration respond with indifference.”

Kefayet Ullah added, “There has been ballot manipulation at the Faculty of Business Administration. Islami Chhatra Shibir and Chhatri Sangstha have violated the code of conduct. We filed complaints on all these issues, but received no response from the Election Commission or the administration.”

Around 70 per cent of students cast their votes in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election, according to Chief Election Commissioner Professor Monir Uddin. He shared the information with Prothom Alo around 7:30pm on Wednesday.

Professor Monir Uddin said, “We haven’t yet received data from all centers, but overall, approximately 70 per cent of students voted. In the Faculty of Social Sciences building, the turnout was 67.17 per cent; in the IT building, 72 per cent; and in the Faculty of Science building, 69 per cent.”

A total of 27,516 students were eligible to vote in the CUCSU election. Voting took place from 9:30am to 4:00pm today.

Sazzad Hossain, the vice-president candidate from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal–backed panel, has expressed anger over what he described as insufficient security arrangements during the CUCSU election. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday evening, he said, “The Election Commissioner has turned this election into a tainted chapter. Despite repeated complaints, he showed helplessness and acted irresponsibly. We believe he must be held accountable.”

The press conference was held around 7:00pm at the university’s Buddhijibi Chattar. Sazzad Hossain said, “We were assured that uninterrupted LED screens would be used to ensure security monitoring. But we saw that the LED screens at several centers kept turning off. We also saw that where other candidates could not enter, candidates from Islami Chhatra Shibir and Chhatri Sangstha were allowed to campaign. Despite repeated complaints, the Election Commissioner did not take any action.”

At the same event, the general secretary (GS) candidate from the Chhatra Dal–backed panel, Shafayat Hossain, alleged that he and several others were attacked by outsiders in front of the New Arts Faculty building. He said, “This election did not happen the way we wanted. We wanted a fair and peaceful election, but the Election Commission failed to ensure a level playing field.”

Results of the CUCSU election from the Fine Arts Hostel have been announced. According to the results, candidates from the Chhatra Dal–backed panel are leading in the VP and AGS positions, while the GS position is being led by the candidate from the left-leaning Boichitre Oikkya panel. The results were announced around 8:45pm on Wednesday.

The hostel, officially named Shilpi Rashid Chowdhury Hostel, houses only students from the university’s Institute of Fine Arts. Of the 154 resident students, 124 cast their votes.

According to the results, Chhatra Dal–backed VP candidate Sazzad Hossain received 34 votes, while Islami Chhatra Shibir–backed candidate Md Ibrahim Hossain received 27 votes, and Boichitre Oikkya panel’s VP candidate Dhrubo Barua received 26 votes.

For the GS position, Boichitre Oikkya panel candidate Sudarshan Chakma is leading with 29 votes, followed by Shibir-backed candidate Saeed Bin Habib with 28 votes, and Chhatra Dal candidate Md Shafayat Hossain with 24 votes. Meanwhile, for the AGS position, Chhatra Dal–backed candidate Ayubur Rahman is leading with 38 votes.

Election Commission member secretary AKM Ariful Haque Siddique confirmed the information to Prothom Alo.

Chhatra Dal is leading in the vice-president (VP) race at Masterda Surya Sen Hall in the CUCSU election. Chhatra Dal–backed VP candidate Sazzad Hossain received 141 votes, while Islami Chhatra Shibir–backed candidate Ibrahim Hossain received 130 votes.

Shibir’s GS candidate Saeed Bin Habib received 175 votes. Chhatra Dal is also leading in the assistant general secretary (AGS) position, with their candidate Ayubur Rahman securing 170 votes.

Election Commission member secretary AKM Ariful Haque Siddique confirmed the information at 11:07pm.

Leaders, activists, and supporters of the BNP–Chhatra Dal and Jamaat–Chhatra Shibir have taken up opposing positions near Gate No. 1 on the Oxygen–Hathazari Road at Chittagong University’s main entrance since Wednesday night. The standoff erupted over the announcement of results in the CUCSU election. However, vote counting is still ongoing in some halls, and their results have yet to be announced.

At around 11:20pm on Wednesday, Prothom Alo reporters found Chhatra Dal activists chanting slogans at the Gate No. 1 area, while a group of Chhatra Shibir supporters stood a short distance away. A large number of police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and other law enforcement personnel were deployed at the scene, along with an armored police vehicle.

Hathazari Upazila BNP’s general secretary Gias Uddin, who was present at the site, told Prothom Alo, “Outsiders from Jamaat–Shibir have gathered at Gate No. 1. There have been rigging and various irregularities in the election. That’s why we are peacefully staying here in protest.”

When Prothom Alo attempted to speak with several Jamaat–Shibir supporters present at the scene, they declined to comment.

Additional Superintendent of Police for Chittagong District (Hathazari Circle) Kazi Tarek Aziz told Prothom Alo, “Both sides have taken positions at Gate No. 1, but no clashes have occurred yet. We’re trying to persuade them to disperse, and many have already started to leave.”

The Chhatra Dal–backed panel is leading in all three positions—vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), and assistant general secretary (AGS)—at Atish Dipankar Hall in CUCSU election.

For the VP post, Chhatra Dal–backed candidate Sazzad Hossain received 223 votes. His nearest rivals were the Islami Chhatra Shibir candidate, who received 90 votes, and Dhruvo Barua from the Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote, who also received 90 votes.

In the GS race, Chhatra Dal–backed candidate Shafayat Hossain secured 164 votes, while Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote candidate Sudarshan Chakma received 131 votes, and Shibir-backed candidate Saeed Bin Habib received 83 votes.

For the AGS post, Chhatra Dal’s Ayubur Rahman received 266 votes. Palash Dey, supported by the Chhatra Federation and Students’ Alliance for Democracy, received 62 votes, while Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote candidate Zakirul Islam received 57 votes.

The results were announced around 12:15am by Returning Officer Md Enayet Ullah Patwary at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Tensions erupted between Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir over the announcement of hall union election results at Chittagong University. The commotion began at around 12:50am on Wednesday night in front of the Faculty of Engineering building and continued until at least 1:10am. Chhatra Dal activists confined the university’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md Kamal Uddin inside the Faculty of Engineering building.

Chhatra Dal activists alleged that their candidate, Jamadiul Awal, was deliberately defeated in the VP race for Suhrawardy Hall through vote manipulation. According to the official count, he received 1,203 votes, while Shibir-backed candidate Niamat Ullah was shown to have received 1,206 votes.

Speaking to Prothom Alo at the scene, a Chhatra Dal activist claimed that students from the Department of Philosophy and Sanskrit voted in Room 312 of the Engineering Faculty building. But in that room, Jamadiul Awal got only three votes, which is impossible. He has good relations with many students of the Philosophy Department. The tally of only three votes for him clearly indicates manipulation the Chhatra Dal activist said.

When contacted, Pro VC Md Kamal Uddin told Prothom Alo that he was leaving after announcement of results. Suddenly a group of students blocked his way and demanded a re-count of votes cast in Room 312 of the Engineering Faculty for the Suhrawardy Hall election. He advised the protesters to contact the Election Commission regarding the matter, but they refused.

At the new building of the Arts and Humanities Faculty—Shaheed Hriday Chandra Tarua Center—Islami Chhatra Shibir–backed panel is leading in the VP and GS positions in the CUCSU election. VP candidate Ibrahim Hossain received 1,553 votes, while his nearest rival, Chhatra Dal’s Sazzad Hossain, received 959 votes.

For the GS post, Shibir’s Saeed Bin Habib received 1,524 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s Md. Shafayat Hossain received 705 votes.

In the AGS race, Chhatra Dal’s Ayubur Rahman leads with 1,492 votes, while Shibir’s Sazzad Hossain received 1,239 votes.

Islami Chhatra Shibir is leading in the vice president (VP) and general secretary (GS) posts at Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia Hall in CUCSU election. Shibir’s VP candidate Ibrahim Hossain received 622 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s VP candidate Sazzad Hossain received 303 votes. For the GS position, Shibir’s candidate Saeed Bin Habib received 681 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s Md Shakhawat Hossain received 146 votes.

However, Chhatra Dal is leading in the assistant general secretary (AGS) post at this hall. Their candidate Ayubur Rahman received 536 votes, while Shibir’s candidate Sazzad Hossain received 376 votes.

Returning Officer Enayet Ullah Patwary announced the results at 2:20am on Wednesday.

Islami Chhatra Shibir is leading in the vice president (VP) and general secretary (GS) posts at A F Rahman Hall, Alaol Hall, and Shahjalal Hall.

At A F Rahman Hall, Shibir’s VP candidate Ibrahim Hossain received 381 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s candidate Md Sazzad Hossain received 226 votes. For the GS post, Shibir’s Saeed Bin Habib received 351 votes, with Chhatra Dal’s Md Shafayat Hossain secured 220 votes. In the assistant general secretary (AGS) race, Chhatra Dal’s Ayubur Rahman leads with 442 votes, while Shibir’s Sazzad Hossain received 231 votes.

At Alaol Hall, Shibir’s VP candidate Ibrahim Hossain received 393 votes, and Chhatra Dal’s Md Sazzad Hossain received 252 votes. For GS, Shibir’s Saeed Bin Habib got 393 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s Md Shafayat Hossain received 200 votes. In the AGS race, Chhatra Dal’s Ayubur Rahman leads with 471 votes, followed by Shibir’s Sazzad Hossain with 225 votes.

At Shahjalal Hall, Shibir’s VP candidate Ibrahim Hossain received 779 votes, with Chhatra Dal’s Md. Sazzad Hossain getting 481 votes. For GS, Shibir’s Saeed Bin Habib secured 780 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s Md Shafayat Hossain received 285 votes. In the AGS race, Shibir’s Sazzad Hossain received 783 votes, and Chhatra Dal’s Ayubur Rahman received 579 votes.

The results were announced at 1:30am on Wednesday by Returning Officer Mohammad Iqbal Shahin Khan.

Police are trying to free Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md Kamal Uddin, who has been confined at Suhrawardy Hall over allegations of vote rigging, about an hour and a half after the confinement began. However, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists are blocking his way.

Earlier, around 1:00am, Chhatra Dal alleged that their VP candidate at Suhrawardy Hall was defeated through vote manipulation. They demanded a re-count of votes cast in Room 312 of the Faculty of Engineering. Around 2:30am, police attempted to escort the Pro VC out of the Engineering Faculty building, but Chhatra Dal activists again blocked the exit at the building gate. As of 2:45am, when this report was written, he remained confined.

Chhatra Dal activists claim that Jamadiul Awal was unfairly defeated in the VP race at Suhrawardy Hall. According to the official tally, he received 1,203 votes, while Shibir-backed candidate Niamat Ullah reportedly received 1,206 votes.

Pro VC (administration) Professor Md Kamal Uddin of Chittagong University was freed from confinement after two and a half hours. He regained his freedom at around 3:15am on Wednesday.

Earlier, at 12:50am, he was confined at Suhrawardy Hall following allegations of vote rigging in the vice president (VP) election. Chhatra Dal leaders and activists had demanded a re-count of votes for this post.

Chhatra Dal leaders said that the Pro VC assured them that the results for this post would be reconsidered, which is why he was released.

When contacted, former Freedom Fighter Affairs Secretary of the Chhatra Dal unit, Jalal Uddin Siddiqui, told Prothom Alo that the Pro VC had promised to review the results.

Results from 10 residential halls in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election have been announced. Among these, Chhatra Dal–backed panel candidate Sazzad Hossain is leading in the VP (vice president) race in four halls, while Shibir-backed Sampreetir Shikkharthi Jote panel candidate Md Ibrahim Hossain is leading in six halls. Overall, Ibrahim is ahead in total votes.

Ibrahim received a total of 4,618 votes across the 10 halls, while Sazzad received 2,858 votes.

For the GS (general secretary) post, Shibir-backed candidate Saeed Bin Habib secured 4,697 votes, while his closest rival, Chhatra Dal’s Md Shafayat, received 1,789 votes.

Meanwhile, for the AGS post, Chhatra Dal’s Ayubur Rahman is leading in nine halls, receiving 4,207 votes. His nearest competitor, Shibir’s Sazzat Hossain, received 3,077 votes.

The university has a total of 14 halls and 1 hostel, of which results from 9 halls and 1 hostel have been declared.