After a 15-day halt due to protest-initiated shutdown of the university and Durga Puja vacation, candidates of Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) polls restarted their campaign in full throttle once again on Monday for the election scheduled for October 16.
Meanwhile, the election commission extended the deadline for the campaigns by 10 days, allowing the candidates to continue it until October 14 midnight.
Although student-presence remained relatively moderate, the campus turned festive on Monday as candidates resumed canvassing on different doors. They also distributed ballot numbers and manifestos to students at Transport Market, Tukitaki Chattar, and other key points across the campus, pledging to address various problems.
Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, vice president candidate representing the BNP-backed Oikkoboddho Notun Projonmo panel, said, "After the long vacation, we returned to campaigning today (Monday). On World Teachers' Day (Sunday), we began by offering prayers at the grave of Professor Shamsuzzoha."
Fahim Reza, general secretary candidate backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, said the election environment was disrupted by the ward quota issue. "Repeated rescheduling has created doubts among students. But no one will be able to stop the ongoing train of RUCSU."
He urged the university administration to 'abandon any idea of derailing RUCSU' and to deliver students the long-expected election.
Chief Election Commissioner Dr F. Nazrul Islam said, "We are once again witnessing student enthusiasm. Due to the rescheduling of the polls, the campaign period has been extended. Candidates will be able to campaign in line with the code of conduct from October 6 to 14."
According to the commission, a total of 247 candidates are contesting for 23 RUCSU posts. Of them, 18 are vying for the vice president post, 13 for general secretary and 16 for assistant general secretary. The university has 28,901 voters-11,305 female and 17,596 male. In addition, 306 candidates are competing in the senate polls, while 600 are contesting in hall union elections.
On September 20, classes and examinations were suspended due to a shutdown programme called by teachers and staff demanding institutional benefits under the ward quota. As students began leaving the campus, the election commission, in an emergency meeting, rescheduled the polling date from September 25 to October 16. The decision to extend campaign time followed this rescheduling.
mahmudbijoyru@gmail.com
