Rucsu polls survey: Shibir panel leads in all 3 posts; Chhatra Dal rejects findings, calls it biased

A recent survey published ahead of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election indicates that the panel supported by Chhatrashibir is leading the race for all three top executive posts.

The survey results place independent candidates in second position, while the panel backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), trails in third. However, JCD has categorically rejected the findings, branding the survey as 'biased and motivated'.

The results were presented at a press conference held at the university's Paribahan Market at 8pm yesterday (14 October), organised by the US-based human rights organisation 'Socchar-Torture Watchdog Bangladesh'.

According to the data, the 'Combined Student Alliance', supported by Chhatrashibir, is leading for the posts of Vice-President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS). The panel received 36.5% of the vote for VP, 31.7% for GS, and 33.9% for AGS.
The JCD-backed Oikkyoboddho Notun Projonmo (United New Generation) is significantly behind, receiving only 2.3% for VP, 2.6% for GS, and 6.1% for AGS.

Independent candidates collectively garnered a noteworthy portion of support, with 10.3% of students expressing a preference for an independent VP candidate, 20.1% for GS, and 12.3% for AGS. Furthermore, candidates from the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, left-wing organisations, the Islami Chhatra Andolon, and other groups each received less than 1% of the vote.

JCD rejects survey findings

Nafiul Islam Jibon, the GS candidate for United New Generation, told TBS, "The students who participated in this survey are members of a specific group. This survey will not reflect the actual situation and will have no bearing on the election."

The survey's impartiality has also been questioned due to allegations linking Salman Sabbir, the AGS candidate for the Shibir-backed Combined Student Alliance, to Socchar. Sabbir was reportedly a former president of the organisation. 

Responding to the controversy, Nusrat Jahan Richi, a student from the Department of Islamic History and Culture, said, "No member of Socchar was involved in conducting the survey. This instance was conducted by 30 ordinary students not associated with Socchar. There is no scope for bias. To be honest, I don't even know Salman Sabbir."

Richi added that the survey sampled 1,284 residential and non-residential students, including 40.4% female students, 13.2% non-Muslims, and 2.3% from ethnic minority groups.

Survey demographics 

Student engagement appears high, with 79.6% indicating they intend to vote — 69.4% of female students and 86.5% of male students. 

About 85.7% believe the election will be conducted fairly and neutrally, while 55.7% think the Rucsu result could influence the outcomes of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) elections.

The survey also shows a focus on candidate quality over panel affiliation: 82.3% said they would vote based on the candidate's qualifications, not the panel, and 77.4% stated competence, not personal identity or political party, would determine their vote. 

About 40.5% of respondents supported a panel combining political parties and independent activists.

Despite these trends, many students remain undecided: 49% for VP, 41.7% for GS, and 44.5% for AGS did not indicate a preference.