Jagannath University is holding its first-ever Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union elections on Tuesday as students are casting their votes in a festive and peaceful atmosphere, marking a historic moment since the institution’s establishment as a university.

Voting is beginning at around 9am and is continuing uninterrupted until 3:30pm, with long queues of students being seen in front of polling centres across the campus.

The election is being held for the first time since Jagannath University was upgraded to a full-fledged university, ending years of anticipation for a formal, elected student representative body.

A total of 16,500 students are casting their votes at 178 booths set up across 39 polling centres, while another 1,242 students are exercising their voting rights in the hall union. Of the centres, 38 are being used for the central students’ union, while one separate centre is being allocated for the hall parliament.

University authorities are saying extensive measures are being taken to ensure a free, fair and peaceful polling process. Presiding officers, polling officials and other concerned staff are remaining present at their respective centres, supported by law enforcement agencies and volunteer teams who are maintaining security.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim is saying the long-awaited election is being conducted in a free, fair and impartial manner and is describing it as crucial for fostering a democratic culture and leadership development on campus.

University Proctor Professor Dr Muhammad Tazammul Haque is saying adequate security measures have been taken and is expressing hope that the peaceful environment will be maintained until the completion of voting.

The election was originally scheduled for December 30 but is being held on Tuesday after it was postponed following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

As voting is continuing and turnout is remaining high, the first-ever JnUCSU election is emerging as a defining moment in Jagannath University’s institutional history.