JU registered graduate election held, 83pc vote cast

The much-awaited election to choose 25 registered graduate representatives for Jahangirnagar University (JU) senate was held peacefully on the campus yesterday.

A total of 3,635 (83 percent) voters out of 4,373 cast votes at some 120 booths at the university's social science and new arts buildings from 9:00am to 4:00pm, said Rahima Kaniz, assistant returning officer of the election.

It would take some seven hours more to publish the results, sources told The Daily Star when the report was filed at 8:30pm.

A total of 119 candidates, 75 from three panels and 44 individual candidates, vied for the 25 posts.

Of the panels, two were pro-Awami League Bangabandhur Adarsha o Muktijuddher Chetonay Bishwasi Pragatishil Jote, led by Chemistry Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir; and Bangabandhur Adarsha o Muktijuddher Chetonay Pragatishil Graduate Mancho, led by a former JU VC Professor MA Matin.

The pro-BNP panel is Swadhinata, Sarbabhoumotwa, Bahudaliya Ganatantra o Bangladeshi Jatiyatabadey Bishwasi Panel, led by Prof Shamsul Alam Selim of government and politics department.

Meanwhile, six outsiders were held by the university authorities as they were campaigning on behalf of Ziaur Rahman, a candidate of pro-BNP panel.

The last election to choose registered graduate representatives took place 16 years ago in 1998.