After remaining inactive for 35 long years, the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall unions, and student representative elections for the university senate have finally been scheduled.
The much-anticipated elections will be held on September 15, according to the official announcement.
The election schedule was revealed on Monday by Election Commissioner Professor Enamul Haque at the university’s Senate Building.
Before the schedule was announced, Chief Election Commissioner Professor Amjad Hossain said: We believe this election will play a historic role in upholding the university’s image, maintaining and strengthening the academic environment, fostering democratic practices, and producing capable leadership from among the students. With these objectives in mind, we are now declaring the election schedule.
Key dates of the election schedule
July 31: Code of conduct for the election to be published.
August 6: Draft voter list to be released.
August 7: Objection submissions for the voter list.
August 10–12: Objection hearings and resolution.
August 14: Final voter list to be published.
August 17–19: Nomination forms distribution.
August 21, 24 & 25: Submission of nomination forms.
August 27–28: Scrutiny of nomination papers.
August 31: Preliminary candidate list to be published.
September 2: Deadline for withdrawal of nominations.
September 4: Final candidate list to be published.
September 15 (9 AM–4 PM): Voting in all residential halls, followed by vote counting and result announcement the same day.
Security measures and stakeholder consultation
Responding to concerns about election security, Election Commissioner Professor Mostafa Kamal Akand said, “We have already held multiple meetings with student political groups and organizations, as well as discussions with teachers, officials, and employees. We urge journalists and all stakeholders to closely monitor the process. We will value your observations and take positive steps based on them to ensure a fair election.”
Background of RUCSU
Established in 1962, about a decade after Rajshahi University’s founding, RUCSU has held 14 elections in total.
The last election took place in 1989.
Following student movements and demands from various student bodies, social and cultural organisations, the university administration published a roadmap for the election on February 27 this year. However, progress stalled until student protests reignited the demand, leading to Monday’s detailed announcement.
