JnUcsu polls: Teachers split over vote-counting method

Conflicting opinions have surfaced among teachers' organisations at Jagannath University over the vote-counting method for the upcoming Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUcsu) and hall union elections.

The Jagannath University Teachers' Association (JUTA) has called for manual vote counting, saying it would ensure greater transparency and acceptability. Leaders argued that direct counting would be more effective for an election of such importance and would avoid technical complications.

In contrast, the University Teachers' Link (UTL) has demanded the use of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines, claiming the technology would speed up the process, minimise human error and make the election more dynamic and accurate.

Both organisations presented their positions at separate press briefings on campus today.

Meanwhile, the Maulana Bhashani Brigade panel announced its 10-point manifesto ahead of the polls. At a press conference in front of the Language Martyr Rafiq Building, GS candidate Evan Tahseeb read out pledges including safe food and drinking water, resolving accommodation shortages, launching a second campus, renovating risky buildings, introducing e-shuttle services and buses, and forming hall-based mass committees to curb ragging.

On the same day, results of the Jagannath University Teachers' Association Executive Council Election–2026 were announced. With no opposing candidates, its Election Commissioner Prof Dr Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman declared Prof Dr Md Rais Uddin president, Prof Dr Imranul Haque general secretary, Prof Dr Muhammad Manjur Morshed Bhuiyan vice-president, Prof Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin treasurer, and Prof Dr Mohammad Bilal Hossain joint general secretary.

JnUcsu Election Commissioner Prof Kaniz Fatema Kakoli said the prior decision was to conduct vote counting through machines, noting that manual counting takes excessive time. "We have seen in the Jucsu election that a teacher died while manual vote counting was underway. Moreover, no teacher would be willing to engage in vote counting for such a long period," she added.