RUCSU Election at Rajshahi University: Voting battle begins after 35 years

PNN News Desk | Rajshahi:
The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Senate student representative, and hall union elections are being held today (Thursday). After 35 long years, this election has created excitement and enthusiasm among students and teachers alike.

A total of 918 candidates are contesting for 43 positions, with 11 panels participating this year. Among them are panels supported by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing (JCD) — Oikjoboddho Notun Projonmo (United New Generation), the Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Combined Student Alliance, and several panels from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The Election Commission has already completed all necessary preparations. Among the 28,901 registered voters, 61% are male and 39% are female. Each voter will cast votes for 23 central union posts, 15 hall union posts, and 5 senate representative posts. Each voter has been allocated 10 minutes to cast their ballots, averaging 14 seconds per vote.

In response to past controversies over printing extra ballot papers during the DUCSU (Dhaka University) and JUCSU (Jahangirnagar University) elections, the RUCSU Election Commission has decided not to print any extra ballots this time. Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Kamal Akand confirmed that exactly 28,901 ballot papers—no more, no less—have been printed, all sourced from trusted printers.

The commission plans to announce the election results within 17 hours. Vote counting will be conducted using advanced OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) machines, ensuring fast and accurate results. Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam said,

“We are using the most advanced technology for vote counting to ensure that the results are announced quickly and accurately.”

Many students have said they will vote based on a candidate’s personality, honesty, and commitment, rather than party or panel affiliation. Tasnin Siddika Rupa, a journalism student and JCD activist, said,

“I will vote for those who have actively participated in movements and proven their commitment.”

The VP (Vice President) and GS (General Secretary) positions have become the most talked-about posts in this election. Students believe that Islami Chhatra Shibir candidate Mostakur Rahman Zahid may win the VP race by a large margin, while the GS post is expected to see a fierce contest between former JCD coordinator Fahim Reza and Shibir’s Salauddin Ammar.

The university administration faces four major challenges to ensure a free and fair election, including ensuring transportation for non-residential students so they can reach polling centers. Dr. Abdur Razzak Sarkar, the university’s transport administrator, stated that 25 buses will be operated to facilitate student participation.

Security forces, including police and law enforcement agencies, are already deployed to maintain order. However, a code of conduct violation was reported yesterday involving BNP student wing leader Amanullah Aman, which is currently under investigation.

This year’s RUCSU election holds historic significance, with many believing it could pave the way for political and social transformation among the student community of Rajshahi University.