Preparations in full swing for RUCSU polls

The RUCSU election is scheduled to be held on September 25 after a long gap of 35 years.

A total of 382 students had collected nomination forms for 23 posts in the RUCSU election by the last date, Wednesday.

Besides, 84 students collected forms for five posts for student representatives to the Senate, while 754 others collected forms for different posts in 17 hall councils.

On behalf of their respective panels, different student organizations, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Gonotantrick Chhatrajote, Sachetan Shikkarthi Parishad, Adhipatyabadbirodhi Okya, Oparajeo 71, Jagrata 24, Afrin Jahan, Towhidul Islam, and Nazmus Sakib, collected 202 nomination forms.

Besides, many others lifted nomination forms independently without mentioning any post or panel.

Chief Election Commissioner Professor F Nazrul Islam told BSS that 14 nomination forms were collected for the Vice President (VP) post, while eight were for General Secretary (GS) and 10 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS).

The newly admitted students in the 2024-25 academic year were included in the voter list on the basis of students' demands and suggestions to make the election more inclusive and festive.

Apart from this, fresher students will compete in the election. For this, the stipulated time for lifting nomination papers was extended by one day. 

RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Hasan Naquib said the RUCSU constitution has been revised to fit the current times, and a powerful and effective election commission was formed. All the necessary measures were taken to make the election meaningful and successful, he added.

Welcoming the election, the students said that this is not only an election but also a big opportunity to start democratic practice again. On one hand, the students will represent themselves, and on the other hand, the prospect of establishing an effective students' union after a long deadlock will emerge.

The RUCSU began its journey in 1961, aimed at realising students' rights, fostering leadership development, and providing an organizational platform to discuss with the administration.

However, no RUCSU election was held after 1989. Student violence, organizational chaos, and reluctance of the administration were said to be the major reasons behind the deadlock, making the RUCSU ineffective.

"There was no one to help us solve our problems, and we had no way to approach anyone for our academic, food, and accommodation issues," said Faria Rahman, a student of the Department of Sociology. 

Anwar Hossain, a student of the Department of Political Sciences, said, "There were organizations of all stakeholders on the campus in the past, but unfortunately students have no representative body. Our problems will be solved through the upcoming election," he hoped.

The RU administration has been giving utmost emphasis to hold the election successfully. All sorts of necessary measures for conducting and maintaining rules and regulations, code of conduct, voter list, nomination paper submission, campaigns, and security are being implemented strictly and transparently.

"This commission is a strong commission. We are not influenced by anyone," said Prof F Nazrul Islam, adding that they are working relentlessly to make the election successful.

According to the code of conduct, every candidate must present a negative dope test report; otherwise, their candidature will be cancelled.

Responding to the election code of conduct, 847 candidate-students gave samples for dope tests at RU Medical Centre. "We will send a detailed report of the test result to the Election Commission within the stipulated time," said the Chief Medical Officer of the centre.

Only candidates and a maximum of five designated representatives each will be allowed to conduct election campaigns. No other individual is permitted to campaign either for or against any candidate. Campaigning inside academic buildings, classrooms, and residential halls has been strictly prohibited.

On the day of the election, only RU teachers, officers, employees, and other officially approved persons will be allowed to enter the campus. All students must carry their identity cards during the election. Only authorized students will be allowed to stay in the residential halls during that time, reports BSS.