Rajshahi university: Rajshahi University (RU) is set to hold its long-awaited election for the Rajshahi University Central Students Union (RUCSU), 17 Hall Councils, and five student representatives to the Senate-2025 tomorrow. Addressing a press conference at the RU Senate Bhaban, Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam announced that polling will take place at 990 booths across 17 centers in nine academic buildings.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, logistical and administrative arrangements have been finalized, and vote counting will be conducted using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines. The entire process will be displayed live on a giant screen in front of the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium to ensure transparency. A total of 28,905 students are eligible to vote, with 17,600 from 11 male residential halls and 11,305 from six female halls.
The Election Commission reports that 903 candidates are contesting the elections-248 for RUCSU, 597 for Hall Councils, and 58 for Senate seats. In the RUCSU polls, 18 candidates are vying for Vice-President, 13 for General Secretary, and 16 for Assistant General Secretary positions. In the Hall Councils, 61 are contesting for Vice-President, 58 for General Secretary, and 57 for Assistant General Secretary. In the female halls, 16 candidates each are contesting for Vice-President and General Secretary, while 15 are vying for the Assistant General Secretary post.
Professor Nazrul Islam highlighted that unprecedented security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful polling. A three-tier security system will be in place on campus from October 15 to 17, with around 2,000 police personnel, 12 platoons of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and six platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) deployed. RAB and BGB will also establish temporary camps within the university to maintain law and order.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has issued a public notice imposing a ban from midnight on October 15 to midnight on October 17 to ensure a successful election. The ban prohibits processions, meetings, gatherings, agitation, use of loudspeakers, and fireworks within 200 yards of the campus. Possession and carrying of weapons and explosives are also banned, with legal action warned against violators.
RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Saleh Hassan Naquib emphasized that conducting the RUCSU polls is the administration’s top priority. He urged cooperation among teachers, students, officers, and employees to facilitate the election process. Prof Naquib expressed optimism that the election, the first in 35 years, will restore the university’s democratic tradition and propel it forward.
Both the university administration and students are eagerly anticipating the election, hoping for a fair and successful process.