Rajshahi: A seminar titled “What is Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) and Why” was held today at Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium at Rajshahi University (RU). The Election Commission organized the seminar in anticipation of the upcoming elections for RUCSU, Hall Councils, and Student Representatives to the Senate scheduled for September 25.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam, while RU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib addressed the seminar as the chief guest. Pro-VC Prof Farid Uddin Khan was present as a special guest. During the seminar, Chief Returning Officer Prof Setaur Rahman provided an overview of the election and its preparations through his keynote presentation. Election Commissioners Prof Abdul Hannan and Prof Enamul Haque also contributed to the discussions regarding the election process.
A total of 903 candidates will be contesting in the upcoming elections for RUCSU, Hall Councils, and Student Representatives to the Senate. Among them, 248 candidates will contend in the RUCSU election, 597 in 17 Hall Councils, and 58 in the Senate Representative election. Specifically, 18 candidates will vie for the position of Vice-President (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS) within RUCSU.
In the 17 hall council polls, 61 candidates will run for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS. In the six female halls, the contest will see 16 candidates each for VP and GS, and 15 for AGS. Last Sunday, the candidates were allocated ballot numbers via a lottery system.
The RUCSU election will witness the participation of 28,905 students, including 17,600 from 11 male dormitories and 11,305 from six female dormitories, who will exercise their voting rights. VC Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib emphasized the significance of the election, which is being held after a 35-year hiatus. “We are arranging the election after breaking the deadlock and facing various challenges,” he stated. He further mentioned that all parties, including RU administration and students, are eagerly anticipating the election, which they see as a step towards achieving their goals. The VC expressed hope that the established level playing field for the candidates will be maintained in the future.