Participatory and acceptable polls to be held: RUCSU CEC

Rajshahi University Central Students Union (RUCSU) Chief Election Commissioner CEC Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam has said votes will be taken properly in the polls. A participatory, transparent, peaceful and acceptable election will be held. 

Addressing a press conference at RU Senate Bhaban on Wednesday, he said polling will be conducted at 990 booths across 17 centres set up in nine academic buildings. 

Rajshahi University (RU) is set to hold the long-cherished election to RUCSU, 17 Hall Councils and five student representatives to the Senate-2025 on Thursday.

Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam further said all logistical and administrative arrangements have been finalized.

Vote counting will be carried out using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines, with the entire process displayed live on a giant screen in front of the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium to ensure maximum transparency.

A total of 28,905 students are eligible to vote in the elections-17,600 from 11 male residential halls and 11,305 from six female halls.

According to the Election Commission, 903 candidates are contesting the elections-248 for RUCSU, 597 for Hall Councils, and 58 for Senate seats.

In the RUCSU polls, 18 candidates are vying for the post of Vice-President (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). 

In the Hall Councils, 61 are contesting for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS. In six female halls, 16 candidates each are contesting for VP and GS posts, while 15 are vying for the AGS post.

A total of 11 student panels are participating across RUCSU, Hall Councils, and Senate elections.

Professor Nazrul Islam said unprecedented security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful polling. 

A three-tier security system will be in place on campus. From October 15 to 17, around 2,000 police personnel, 12 platoons of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be deployed. 

RAB and BGB will also set up temporary camps within the university premises to maintain law and order.