JCD panel announces 10-point manifesto

The 'Oikkyoboddho Notun Projonmo' (United New Generation) panel, backed by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has unveiled its 10-point election manifesto ahead of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) election.

The manifesto was announced at a press conference at the university's Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday.

The 10-point manifesto included several pledges aimed at improving the RU's academic and campus environment. Its key promises included: declaring February 18 - the day Professor Dr. Shamsuzzoha was shot dead by Pakistani forces in 1969 - as the National Teachers' Day; ensuring academic excellence through close coordination with the university administration and fostering a culture of free knowledge and open intellectual exchange; upgrading library, internet, and electricity facilities for students; strengthening campus security for all; modernising the university medical centre; expanding facilities for female and students with special needs; promoting social harmony and a culture of open artistic and cultural expression on the campus; addressing residential crisis through expanded accommodation facilities; ensuring hygienic food and clean drinking water for students; and reactivating the RU railway station to facilitate transportation for long-distance students, and introducing discounted tickets and additional campus bus routes.

Speaking at the event, vice president (VP) candidate Sheikh Nur-Uddin Abir said, "We took some extra time to finalise our manifesto, as we wanted it to reflect the real needs of general students. Every point we proposed is achievable."

"If the students support us and we can work in coordination with the administration, we believe we can implement these promises in a short time," he added.

According to the schedule, voting in the RUCSU election will be held on October 16, and results will be announced the same day. There are 28,901 registered voters, including 11,305 female and 17,596 male.

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