Rucsu returns after 35 years, 903 candidates in the race
Yesterday, the candidates were given ballot numbers through lottery
Rajshahi University (RU) is preparing for the historic return of student representation with the upcoming Central Students' Union (Rucsu) elections, along with polls for hall councils and student representatives to the Senate. A total of 903 candidates are running in the elections.
According to Chief Returning Officer Prof Setaur Rahman, 248 candidates are contesting the Rucsu posts, 597 are competing in 17 hall councils, and 58 are in the running for the Senate elections.
In the Rucsu race, 18 students are competing for vice president (VP), 13 for general secretary (GS), and 16 for assistant general secretary (AGS). In the 17 hall councils, 61 are running for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS. In six female halls, 16 are running for VP, 16 for GS, and 15 for AGS.
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On Sunday, candidates were assigned ballot numbers through a lottery. In the Rucsu election, 28,905 students will cast their votes, including 17,600 from 11 male dormitories and 11,305 from six female dormitories.
So far, eleven panels have been announced to contest the elections. Six of these are backed by political parties, one is led by three former coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination movement, and four are independent.
The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Sammilita Shikkharthi Jote have each announced 23-member panels. Other panels include Sarbajanin Shikkharthi Sangsad, Adhipatyabirodhi Oikya, Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad, Rucsu for Radical Change, Sachetan Shikkharthi Sangsad, Aprotirodhya-24, Swatantra Shikkharthi Jote, Independent Student Alliance, and United for Rights.
From the Chhatra Dal panel, Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir is running for VP, Nafiul Jibon for GS, and Jahin Biswash Esha for AGS.
From Sammilita Shikkharthi Jote, Mustakur Rahman Jahidi is contesting for VP, Fazley Rabbi Muhammad Fahim Reja for GS, and SM Salman Rabbi for AGS. The Sarbojonin Shikkharthi Sangsad panel features Tasin Khan for VP, Rajan Al Ahmed for GS, and Mahair Islam for AGS.
In the Adhipatyabirodhi Oikya panel, Mehedi Sajib is standing for VP, Salauddin Ammar for GS, and Akil Bin Taleb for AGS. The Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad candidates are Fuhad Ratul for VP, Kaosar Ahmed for GS, and Nasim Sarker for AGS.
Rucsu for Radical Change is fielding Mehedi Maruf for VP, Afrin Jahan for GS, and Al Shahriar Shubho for AGS. Sachetan Shikkharthi Sangsad has nominated Mahbub Alam for VP, Shariful Islam for GS, and Parvej Akanda for AGS.
Aprotirodhya-24 features Masud Kibria for VP, Poroma Paramita for GS, and Sanjida Parveen for AGS. The Swatantra Shikkharthi Jote panel includes Tawhidul Islam for VP, Nusrat Jahan for GS, and Zannat Ara Nawshin for AGS.
The election will be held on 25 September from 9am to 4pm in the university's academic buildings. Preparations are in full swing, creating a festive and lively atmosphere across the campus as students look forward to participating in the first Rucsu elections in 35 years.
