The long-awaited elections for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu), hall unions, and student representatives in the university senate are underway today (Thursday) after a 35-year hiatus.
This marks the 17th Rucsu election in the 72-year history of Rajshahi University (RU).
Polling will be held from 9am to 4pm at 990 booths across 17 centres in nine academic buildings, under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner F Nazrul Islam.
A total of 28,901 registered students are eligible to vote for leaders from 902 candidates. Of these, 247 candidates are competing for 23 Rucsu posts, 58 for five Senate positions, and 597 for 15 hall union roles.
Election Commissioner Professor Dr Mustafa Kamal Akand confirmed on Wednesday that no extra ballot papers have been printed for the election.
Speaking at a press conference at the university’s Senate Building, he assured that the Rucsu ballot papers were printed by trusted, experienced presses, typically handling university exams or question papers.
Akand further stated that a sufficient number of watermark reader machines have been procured for vote counting, allowing results to be published within 15 to 17 hours after the polls close.
A total of 212 teachers are overseeing the election, with 17 acting as presiding officers and the remaining serving as assistant presiding officers.
This year, a total of 28,901 registered voters will participate in the Rucsu elections, including 11,305 female and 17,595 male students.
In the central student union election, 247 candidates are vying for 23 posts, while 58 candidates are competing for five Senate seats.
For the central positions, 18 candidates are running for Vice President (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS).
In the hall union elections, 597 candidates are contesting for 252 posts across 17 halls, with 42 candidates elected unopposed.
Additionally, 58 candidates are competing for five Senate seats.
