After more than 35 years, the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) is gearing up for its election, with students eagerly awaiting new leadership as campaigns transform the campus into a political battleground.
With 11 panels, alongside several independent candidates, it is expected to be a highly competitive race.
Early discussions suggest a major contest between two dominant panels – the “Oikkyaboddho Notun Projonmo,” backed by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and the “Sommilito Shikkharthi Jote,” supported by Islami Chhatra Shibir. However, attention has largely shifted to the vice president (VP) candidates.
Who are the VP candidates?
The VP candidates drawing the most attention are Sheikh Nuruddin Abir from the JCD-backed panel, Mustakur Rahman Zahid from the Shibir-backed panel, Fuad Ratul from the “Ganatantrik Shikkharthi Parishad,” Mehedi Maruf from the “Rucsu for Radical Change,” Mehedi Sajib from the “Adhipatya Birodhi Oikya,” and Tasin Khan from the “Sorbojonin Shikkharthi Parishad.”
Tasin is making history as the first-ever female VP candidate in Rucsu’s history.
A staggering 903 candidates are vying for different positions in the Rucsu, Senate, and Hall Union elections. Of these, 248 are running for central posts, 58 for Senate seats, and 597 for hall positions.
Thirty-nine candidates have been elected unopposed in the hall union elections, with 36 female candidates in women’s halls and three male candidates in a male hall.
According to the election commission, 18 candidates are contesting for the VP position, 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). In the hall elections, 61 candidates are running for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS. For female students, there are 16 candidates for VP, 16 for GS, and 15 for AGS.
The total voter list for the Rucsu election includes 28,905 voters, with 17,596 male voters and 11,305 female voters.
Campus abuzz with excitement
Since the announcement of the candidate list, the campus has been alive with discussions about the election.
Students are analysing candidates’ experiences and the solutions they propose to campus issues, such as irregularities in exams, ragging, water shortages in summer, library seating problems, and mosquito control.
VP candidate Abir has been active in student politics and was attacked by the now-banned Chhatra League in 2023. He emphasised his commitment to restoring democracy.
“We’ve fought for 17 years to bring democracy back, and we’ll continue to represent the students,” Abir said.
VP candidate Zahid said his panel is inclusive of women, cultural activists, minorities, and injured warriors from the July movement.
“If elected, I will be the VP for all students – Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian,” Zahid said, expressing confidence that students would place their trust in his panel.
Another VP candidate, Fuad Ratul, criticised the limited freedom of expression on campus, which has deterred many students from joining student politics. “While we lack funds, we have years of experience in standing up for students’ rights,” Ratul said.
VP hopeful Mehedi Sajib emphasised the need for stronger female student representation. “We will ensure that our votes come from the conscious mandate of students,” Sajib said, reflecting on the importance of the July Revolution.
Tasin Khan, the first female VP candidate from the “Sorbojonin Shikkharthi Parishad,” is focused on solving issues like ragging, housing shortages, counselling, health services, and the marginalisation of female and differently-abled students.
“My voice is for the entire student body, not bound by any ideology,” Khan explained.
Chief Election Commissioner Professor F Nazrul Islam confirmed that the elections will take place across 17 centres with a total of 990 booths. Voting will occur on 25 September, and results will be counted at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium and broadcast live on LED screens.
