RUCSU: Shibir, JCD leading the race

Official campaign begins Sunday

FE Team | Published: September 14, 2025 22:44:56

RU CORRESPONDENT
The Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) election, set to take place on September 25 after a long gap of 35 years, has gained full momentum, as the campaign officially has begun on Sunday.
According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 11 panels have announced the names of their candidates, with Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) being the only two groups to have declared complete panels.
The upcoming polls will be held simultaneously for the RUCSU, university senate, and hall unions. Officials said the process of nomination submission, scrutiny, and preliminary list publication has already been completed. With the withdrawal deadline having expired on Saturday, the final list of candidates is announced, formally kicking off the campaign.
As per the EC, 18 candidates are vying for the post of vice president (VP), 13 for general secretary (GS), and 16 for assistant general secretary (AGS) in this year's polls. The scale of interest is unprecedented, with 395 nominations filed for 23 central RUCSU posts, 84 for five senate positions, and 754 for 17 hall union posts.
The 2025 RUCSU election is poised to be one of the most competitive in the university's history. The atmosphere on the campus has already turned festive, with posters and banners, and student groups mobilising supporters.
Although 11 panels are in the contest, six of them have emerged as the focal point of students' attention and media discussion. These are: Sommilito Chhatra Jote (Shibir-backed), JCD-nominated Abir-Jibon-Esha panel, RUCSU for Radical Change, Gonotantrik Chhatra Parishad, Adhipottobirodhi Oikya, and Sarbojoneen Chhatra Sangsad.
Among these, the Shibir-supported panel has drawn significant attention for its inclusive approach. Contrary to a party-centric lineup, the panel has accommodated three female candidates, a July Movement victim, a former student coordinator, and a Hindu student.
For VP, the panel has nominated Shibir's RU unit president Mostakur Rahman Zahid. For GS, former anti-discrimination movement coordinator Fahim Reza is the nominee; and for AGS, student network Sochchar president S M Salman Sabbir.
Fahim Reza said: "I had plans to run independently for GS, but Shibir proposed forming an inclusive panel. After discussions, I agreed to join, as this provides a broader platform to push student issues."
The JCD-nominated panel has also entered the field with a complete lineup - VP: Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, vice president of JCD RU unit; GS: NafiuI Jibon, office secretary of RU JCD; and AGS: Jahin Biswas Esha, joint secretary of RU JCD.
NafiuI Jibon said: "Our aim is not power politics, but solving students' problems. Solving housing crisis and ensuring a safe campus and peaceful educational environment are our top priorities. The election must ensure confidentiality and transparency of votes, whether conducted manually or electronically."
From Adhipottobirodhi Oikya panel, former student coordinator Mehedi Sojib is the VP candidate, former coordinator Salahuddin Ammar is running for GS, and Aqil Bin Taleb for AGS.
Mehedi Sojib said: "At RU, we coordinators could work independently; unlike Dhaka or JU, where organisational chains limit movements. Although many of us were eligible for top posts, we prioritised unity."
Gonotantrik Chhatra Parishad has been formed by left-leaning student bodies. From the panel, Socialist Student Front convener Fuad Ratul is the VP candidate, Student Union (one faction) treasurer Kawsar Ahmed is vying for GS, and Student Ganamancha convener Nasim Sarkar for AGS.
Fuad Ratul said: "If elected, our first priority will be to institutionalise RUCSU, making it a regular part of the academic calendar."
From RUCSU for Radical Change panel, the VP aspirant is Mehedi Maruf, Afrin Jahan is running for GS, and Al Shahriar Shuvo for AGS.
Sarbojoneen Chhatra Sangsad panel is notable for nominating the first-ever female VP candidate in RUCSU's history. Former student coordinator Tasin Khan is the VP candidate, Razon Al Ahmed GS, and Mahair Islam AGS.
Tasin Khan said: "Now it is time for women to lead from the front. We hope to see maximum female representation in RUCSU."
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Prof. F. Nazrul Islam said after publishing the final list of candidates on Sunday, the candidates can officially begin their campaign, provided they strictly follow the code of conduct.
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