After a gap of 35 years, the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) and Senate elections are set to return with record female participation, giving the polls a new dimension.
Seven women are contesting for the three top positions of vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), and assistant general secretary (AGS), while 32 female candidates are in the running for 19 central and senate posts.
In addition, 217 women are contesting for 15 positions in the female dormitory unions.
A total of nine panels have so far been announced to contest the upcoming elections to the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall councils, and student representatives to the Senate, scheduled to be held on 25 September.
According to the RUCSU election commission, this will be the largest student election in the union’s history.
A total of 320 candidates are competing for central and senate posts, alongside 754 in the hall unions.
Of them, 288 are men and 32 are women. Observers believe the surge in women’s participation signals their growing leadership and stronger voice in campus politics.
For the top posts, Tasin Khan (2020–21) is the lone female candidate for VP and is also contesting for a senate seat.
Four women are vying for GS — Paroma Parmita (2018–19), Nusrat Jahan Nupur (2019–20), Asiya Khatun (2019–20), and Afrin Jahan (2018–19).
Two female candidates, Jannat Ara Naushin (2021–22) and BNP-backed Jahin Biswas Esha (2020–21) are competing for AGS.
Female candidates are also running for other important positions. Among them, BNP-backed Nargis Khatun (2019–20), who has represented Bangladesh in national and international sports, is standing for sports secretary.
“I have witnessed mismanagement in RU’s sports sector. If elected, I will work to hold more tournaments and renovate the women’s gymnasium,” said Nargis.
For cultural secretary, Saraf Anjum Bibha (2021–22) is in the fray. The women’s affairs secretary race has drawn multiple contenders, including Abida Akter Laboni (2021–22), BNP-backed Mosammat Swapna Akter (2018–19), and Jamaat-backed Saiyida Hafsa (2019–20).
Several women are also running for assistant secretary positions in women’s affairs, environment, and social welfare, as well as for executive member roles.
Students say this broad participation not only enriches the competition but also strengthens women’s influence in decision-making.
“Since RUCSU is a democratic platform, I joined the race to represent students’ interests. My aim is to build a safe, peaceful, and student-friendly campus,” said GS candidate Nusrat Jahan Nupur.
VP contender Tasin Khan raised concerns about cyber bullying that discouraged many women from participating.
“We discussed forming a cyber team with the election commission, but its activities remain unclear. This has frustrated female students,” she said.
Tasin added that if elected, she would focus on ensuring students’ fundamental rights within a year.
The unprecedented female turnout in the upcoming RUCSU elections is being hailed as a milestone, highlighting women’s determination to take leadership roles in student politics and university governance.
