903 candidates to fight in RUCSU, Hall, Senate polls

Chief Returning Officer Prof Setaur Rahman said 248 candidates to contest in RUCSU, 597 to 17 Hall Councils and 58 to Senate elections.

Among the 248 candidates in RUCSU election, 18 will vie for Vice-president (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS) and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS).

In the 17 hall council polls, 61 will contest for VP, 58 for GS and 57 for AGS. In the six female halls, 16 for VP, 16 for GS and 15 for AGS remain in the race. 

On Sunday last, the candidates were given ballot numbers through lottery.

In the RUCSU election, 28,905 students, consisting of 17,600 in 11 male dormitories and 11,305 in six female dormitories, will exercise their rights of franchise.

A total of eleven 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.

Of the 11 panels, six are supported by political parties, one is led by three former coordinators of the anti-discrimination students' movement, while the remaining four are independents.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has announced a 23-member panel for the polls. Similarly, Sammilita Shikkharthi Jote has also announced a 23-member panel.

According to RU sources, the nine panels - JCD , Sammilita Shikkharthi Jote , 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 JCD panel, Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, Nafiul Jibon, and Jahin Biswash Esha are contesting for the posts of Vice President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS), respectively.

 
From the Sammilita Shikkharthi Jote, Mustakur Rahman Jahidi (VP), Fazley Rabbi Muhammad Fahim Reja (GS), and SM Salman Rabbi (AGS) are participating.
 
Tasin Khan (VP), Rajan Al Ahmed (GS), and Mahair Islam (AGS) are contesting from the Sarbajanin Shikkharthi Sangsad panel.

Mehedi Sajib (VP), Salauddin Ammar (GS), and Akil Bin Taleb (AGS) are contesting from the Adhipatyabirodhi Oikya panel.

Fuhad Ratul (VP), Kaosar Ahmed (GS), and Nasim Sarker (AGS) are candidates from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad.

RUCSU for Radical Change panel features Mehedi Maruf (VP), Afrin Jahan (GS), and Al Shahriar Shubho (AGS).

Sachetan Shikkharthi Sangsad has nominated Mahbub Alam (VP), Shariful Islam (GS), and Parvej Akanda (AGS).

From Aprotirodhya-24, Masud Kibria (VP), Poroma Paramita (GS), and Sanjida Parveen (AGS) are contesting.

Swatantra Shikkharthi Jote panel includes Tawhidul Islam (VP), Nusrat Jahan (GS), and Zannat Ara Nawshin (AGS).

However, names of VP, GS and AGS candidates of Independent Student Alliance and United for Rights couldn't be known immediately.

The RUCSU election marks a historic return to student representation at Rajshahi University after a 35-year hiatus.

Polling will be held in the university's academic buildings from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on September 25.
 
Preparations for the long-awaited election are underway in full swing, creating a festive and enthusiastic atmosphere across the campus, reports BSS.