Jahin Esha (Chhatra Dal): 1,329
RUCSU Rokeya Hall election results announced
Results of the Rokeya Hall elections under the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) have been announced, with the Shibir-backed “Combined Students’ Alliance” panel leading in key positions.
Mostakur Rahman Zahid won the vice-president (VP) post with 752 votes, defeating Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir of the BNP-backed “United New Generation” panel, who got 211 votes.
For general secretary (GS), Salahuddin Ammar of the “Anti-Domination Unity” panel secured 661 votes, while Fazle Rabbi Md Fahim Reza of the Shibir-backed panel received 377 votes.
In the assistant general secretary (AGS) race, SM Salman Sabbir of the Shibir-backed panel obtained 346 votes, beating Jahin Biswas Esha of the BNP-backed panel, who received 299 votes.
‘No irregularities found in voting, some management flaws noticed’
The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) Election Observation Committee has reported that no irregularities were observed during Thursday’s election, though some management-related flaws were noted.
The nine-member committee was formed earlier by Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib to monitor the election process.
The remarks came during a post-election briefing at the university’s administration building, where Prof M Rafiqul Islam, chairman of the RUCSU election observation committee and a retired professor of the Department of Economics, shared the committee’s observations.
The nine-member committee visited polling centres throughout the day to monitor the election process.
Over 72% voter turnout in RUCSU election: Election Commission
Voting for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election concluded peacefully on Thursday, with more than 72% of registered voters casting their ballots.
Election Commissioner Mostafa Kamal Akand and Chief Returning Officer Prof Setaur Rahman confirmed the turnout after polling ended.
Polling for RUCSU, hall unions, and Senate student representatives started at 9:00am on Thursday and continued until 4:00pm, despite mutual allegations between different panels. Ballot boxes were transported to the counting centre at Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium around 5:30pm, and the process will be displayed on LED screens outside for public viewing.
JCD-backed VP candidate alleges intimidation by Shibir
Sheikh Noor Uddin Abir, vice-presidential candidate of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), has alleged that leaders and activists of Chhatra Shibir threatened students of the Hindu community on campus last night.
He claimed that several former leaders of Shibir, including its ex-president, were present on campus using fake press cards.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Abir also alleged that voting at several centres, including Shahidullah Arts Building, was halted for an hour, allowing manipulation while long queues of voters waited outside. “Why did this happen? There must be an answer,” he said.
Abir further accused Shibir of distributing food and gathering crowds outside Habibur Rahman Hall on voting day. “They know that they cannot manipulate results here as they do elsewhere. But the voters of Rajshahi University will answer Shibir’s misdeeds through their ballots,” he added.
Vote counting to begin at 6pm
Vote counting for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall unions, and Senate student representatives will begin at 6:00pm. The polling, which began at 9:00am on Thursday, continued uninterrupted until 4:00pm.
Election Commissioner Prof Parvez Azharul Haque said that special arrangements had been made to ensure that anyone in line before 4:00pm could vote.
Regarding the vote counting, Prof Parvez said that although counting was initially scheduled to begin at 5:00pm, it will now start at 6:00pm“The results will be announced from the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium once the counting is complete,” he added.
Shibir-backed candidates allege entry of outsiders onto campus
Candidates of “Combined Students’ Alliance” supported by the Islami Chhatra Shibir have alleged various irregularities, including the entry of outsiders onto the campus, in the long-awaited elections to Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) and hall unions.
They made these allegations at a press conference held in front of the university’s Central Library around 2 pm on Thursday (16 October).
General Secretary (GS) candidate Fazle Rabbi Fahim said that several irregularities had occurred during the election. “Indelible ink has not been used. In the morning, students carrying entry slips were barred from entering the Siraji Building—despite the Election Commission earlier stating that such slips would be valid for entry,” he said.
He further alleged that panels backed by the Chhatra Dal and anti-dominance groups were campaigning within 100 meters of polling centres and had even set up booths in some areas—violating the electoral code of conduct.
Raising concerns about the presence of outsiders, Fahim claimed that Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists had entered the campus. “The organizational secretary of Chhatra Dal has been spreading rumours on campus, although he is not a student of the university. Even the Chhatra Dal president has shared such a post,” he added.
Questioning the neutrality of the university administration, Fahim said, “The presence of outsiders on campus is noticeable, yet the administration remains silent. We urge them to act impartially.”
Vice President (VP) candidate Mostakur Rahman Zahid called on all stakeholders in the RUCSU election to perform their duties neutrally.
Addressing allegations of token distribution by their panel, the alliance’s candidates said, “At a few places, some students might have left behind tokens, but it’s not a major issue.”
They also alleged that a smear campaign was being carried out against them. The candidates urged students to come to the polling centres and vote for honest and competent leadership.
Polls environment good, no complaints: Shibir’s GS candidate
Fazle Rabbi Md Fahim Reza, the general secretary (GS) candidate from Shibir in the RUCSU election, said, “The election environment is good, and we hope it will remain so until the election ends. We haven’t had any complaints so far and are continuing to monitor the situation.”
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Gallery No. 150 in the Shahidullah Academic Building of Rajshahi University.
Long queues of female students at polling centres
Dr. Dilara, a teacher in charge, said that all the female students were coming to cast their votes.
“The lines outside are so long, and a festive look is prevailing on the campus,” she said.
She added that if more voting booths had been installed within the polling centres, students wouldn’t have had to wait in such long queues.“When I was a student here, the polling centres were located inside the halls themselves,” she recalled.
RUCSU building renovation underway alongside voting
Voting is being held for the re-establishment of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) after a long hiatus of 35 years.
Meanwhile, renovation work on the RUCSU building is also in its final stage. The renovation is expected to be completed and handed over to the university administration tonight.
First-aid centre launched for students
On the occasion of the RUCSU elections, the university administration has set up a first-aid centre for students.
Students were seen receiving treatment at the centre.
21% votes cast in first two hours in RUCSU polls
21 percent of votes were cast within the first two hours in the long-awaited elections to Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) and hall unions, confirmed Professor Dr. Setaur Rahman, chief returning officer of the RUCSU Election Commission, at 11:00 am on Thursday (October 16).
While visiting the polling center, Vice-chancellor (VC) of Rajshahi University (RU) Professor Saleh Hassan Naquib said that student turnout in the election has been very encouraging. Compared to elections at other universities, it is expected that more than 70% of students will cast their votes here.
The administration has made all necessary preparations to ensure a fair and transparent environment for the voting, he added.
RUCSU VP candidate Tasin alleges code of conduct violations
RUCSU vice-presidential candidate Tasin Khan has raised allegations of code of conduct violations.
He said, “The election commission has disappointed us extremely. Neither they have been able to create a level playing field nor have they enforced the code of conduct. I observed that campaigning leaflets are being handed out to voters while they are in queue, which is the violation of the electoral code of conduct.”
Indelible ink only a symbolic matter: Chief Returning Officer
The use of indelible inks on the fingers of voters is only a symbolic issue, and their fading is not a matter of concern, said Chief Returning Officer Prof Dr Setaur Rahman.
Addressing reporters, Dr Setaur Rahman said a voter has to show his ID card, sign on the voter list, and then get the ballot paper. There is no scope for the same student to cast votes multiple times even if the ink mark on his finger gets erased, the professor asserted.
Professor Akhter Hossain Majumdar, administrator at the university public relations department, said the voters are being checked on multiple levels, where ink is at the final level.
On Wednesday, Election Commissioner Mostafa Kamal Akand told reporters at a press conference that officials have deployed a “three-dimensional” verification system to prevent “double-voting.”
Apart from university ID cards, students have also been assigned a unique voters’ identity and a “specially protected QR code,” he said.
Inks on fingers easily erasable, voters allege
Some voters have claimed they can easily erase the ink marks on their fingers after casting votes at the Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Academic Building.
Presiding Officer Nurul Islam said he would verify the allegations. He, however, claimed that election officials did not pre-check the ink as it was “not a part of their duty.”
Fazle Rabbi Md Fahim, Islami Chhatra Shibir’s general secretary candidate, said he has informed the Election Commission about the allegations.
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