The long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) election has produced a clear verdict, with candidates from different alliances securing key positions in a peaceful and festive environment.
Mostakur Rahman Zahid, president of the RU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, has been elected Vice President (VP), while Salah Uddin Ammar, former coordinator and candidate from the 'Anti-Dominance Unity Alliance', has been elected general secretary (GS). The assistant general secretary (AGS) post went to SM Salman Sabbir, president of the 'Sochchar RU unit', who was supported by the Shibir-backed panel.
The official results were announced at 8:30 am on Friday (October 17) by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium, following a peaceful and festive day of polling across the university.
According to the official results, Mostakur Rahman Zahid secured the VP position with 12,687 votes, while his nearest rival Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir of the BNP-backed 'Oikyo Boddho Notun Projonmo' panel received 3,397 votes. Tasin Khan from the 'Shorbojonin Chhatro Shongshod' panel came third with 1,621 votes.
In the GS race, Salah Uddin Ammar clinched victory with 11,546 votes, defeating Fahim Reza of the 'Combined Student Alliance', who bagged 5,729 votes. Nafiul Islam Jibon of the 'Oikyo Boddho Notun Projonmo' panel secured 1,328 votes.
For the AGS post, S M Salman Sabbir of the 'Combined Student Alliance' received 6,978 votes, narrowly defeating Jahin Bishwas Esha from the 'Oikyo Boddho Notun Projonmo' panel, who got 5,941 votes. Independent candidate Sajibur Rahman finished third with 2,907 votes.
In addition to the top posts, five senate members were also elected. They are Mostakur Rahman Zahid, Salah Uddin Ammar, Fahim Reza, Aqil Bin Taleb, and S M Salman Sabbir.
The election, held after a long hiatus, marked a significant moment in the campus politics.
Observers and university officials praised the smooth conduct of the polls and the active involvement of student voters throughout the process.
Meanwhile, the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed 'Combined Student Alliance' has secured a landslide victory in the Rajshahi University (RU) hall union elections, clinching all vice-president (VP), general secretary (GS), and assistant general secretary (AGS) posts across all 17 residential halls.
Not a single Chhatra Dal candidate managed to win any of the top three positions in any hall, marking a decisive setback for the student organisation.
In the RUCSU polls -- held after 35 years -- the Shibir-backed 'Combined Student Alliance' also swept the central election, winning 20 out of the 23 posts.
The result cements Shibir's dominance across both central and hall-level politics at the university, indicating a resurgence of their organisational strength on the campus.
In a remarkable individual achievement, Nargis Akter, a national-level athlete, became the only winning candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed 'United New Generation' panel. Contesting for the sports secretary post, Nargis received the highest number of votes in her category, becoming the sole representative of her panel in the central union.
The Chief Election Commissioner confirmed her victory during the official announcement on Friday morning.
Alongside Nargis, two other non-Shibir candidates managed to secure central positions -- Salahuddin Ammar as GS from the 'Anti-Dominance Unity Alliance', and Toufayel Ahmed Tofa, who won the Science and Technology Affairs Secretary post as an independent contestant.
The RUCSU and Hall Union elections, held on Thursday under tight security and amid festive enthusiasm, reflected a shifting dynamism in student politics at Rajshahi University.
While Shibir regained overwhelming organisational control, the victories of Ammar and Nargis demonstrated that student voters remain receptive to independent and merit-based candidates as well.
Political analysts on campus view the results as a landmark moment-- symbolising the re-emergence of structured student politics after decades of dormancy.
The sweeping victory by Shibir, combined with selective wins by other panels, paints a complex but vibrant picture of the university's evolving political climate.
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