After the election date of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) was announced, the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) began preparing for elections.
With that end in mind, a four-member committee—at the instruction of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university Abdus Sobhan—was formed and university authorities showed their approach to participating in dialogues with representatives of active students' organizations.
The constitution, certificate of registration, and list of executive committee members of the registered student organizations must be submitted to the committee President and Proctor Prof Lutfur Rahman, between January 23 and 29.
The decision was taken at a committee meeting held on Tuesday afternoon. Lutfur Rahman said: "The active student organizations also have to submit the photocopies of: birth certificates, national identity cards, university identity cards, and attested resumes, alongside other documents.
"Afterwards, dialogues will be held, in phases, with the active student organizations," he said.
Until now, Rucsu polls have been held 14 times. The first Rucsu election was held in 1953, right after Rajshahi University was established. At that time, it was called the Rajshahi University Students' Union (Rasu).
After a brief period of inactivity during Ayub Khan's regime, Rasu restarted its journey in 1962 with the name of Rucsu. The last election was held for the 1989-90 term.
A Rajshahi University ordinance states that, Rucsu will work towards: building leadership and workplace skills; improving understanding between Rajshahi University and other foreign or local universities and colleges; raising the interests of students towards debate, spoken word, and composition; and motivating students towards achieving all sorts of advantages from a university education. Rucsu also engages in different humanitarian and social activities.
The declaration to hold the new polls has raised the hopes of the students. They expressed their hopes that a student-friendly leader, believing in the spirit of Liberation War, will be elected.
Rajshahi University Chhatra League President Golam Kibria said: "After becoming the president, I submitted a 22-point demand memorandum, of which the first demand was Rucsu polls.
"On January 21, I submitted another memorandum demanding Rucsu polls," he said. "Problems that the current students are facing, such as: housing, a high admission fee, and others, can only be solved through Rucsu."
General Secretary of Rajshahi University Chhatra League said: "We want to see an honest, qualified and skilled person, who will work towards representing the 35,000 students, as the Rucsu leader."
He added: "Only Rucsu can solve problems regarding: housing, food standards, campus security, and the admission fee; which cannot be solved politically. Anyone in the Chhatra League cannot go beyond the administration. However, a Rucsu leader will be above all these restrictions."
MM Shakil, president of Chhatra Union, echoed similar sentiments. "We hope that the new administration will stop the custom of ruling party student organizations having all the power on campus, and ensure the equal presence of all parties following the ideals of the Liberation War."
Biplobi Chhatra Moitri President Fidel Monir also believes the elected representative should believe in the spirit of the Liberation War. "He or she should be above all party politics, and work to: solve housing problems, reduce the admission fee, enhance campus security, increase bus trips, and ensure the rights of the student body."
Proctor Lutfur Rahman said after all documents have been submitted to the committee, the information will be analyzed and dialogues will be held with the student organizations after seven days.