The campaign for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu), hall councils, and student representative positions in the senate officially began on Monday, ahead of the September 25 election.
Campaigning will continue until 9am on September 24, with candidates required to strictly adhere to the university’s electoral code of conduct. Violations will be punishable under university law.
As per the code, campaign activities are permitted daily from 10am to 10pm, starting from the announcement of the final candidate list until 24 hours before polling.
Only candidates and registered voters may participate in campaign activities within university premises.
Campaign materials are limited to black-and-white posters not exceeding 60cm by 45cm.
Writing on walls or pasting posters on buildings is prohibited. Loudspeakers may only be used during candidate introduction sessions.
Entry into residential halls of the opposite gender is restricted to introduction sessions and requires prior permission from the respective hall’s returning officer.
Organizers must notify the proctor in advance of any campus meetings, specifying time and venue. All participants must carry identification cards, and outsiders are barred from staying in residential halls.
The code also prohibits intimidation, obstruction of voting, and use of force by candidates or their supporters.
Processions and gatherings inside halls or academic buildings are banned, and defamatory or provocative media statements are strictly forbidden. Violators will be handed over to law enforcement.
Rucsu Chief Election Commissioner Professor F Nazrul Islam confirmed the campaign’s commencement and reiterated that any breach of the code would result in disciplinary action.
He added that some provisions are still under review and will be finalized within the day.
The campus atmosphere turned festive on Sunday after ballot numbers were distributed via lottery.
Candidates began campaigning on social media, sharing cards with ballot numbers and manifestos, and visiting campus spots, halls, and nearby messes to seek votes.
Despite rain disrupting activities on Sunday and again on Monday morning, candidates were seen campaigning across campus.
They noted challenges due to restrictions on campaigning inside academic buildings and students sheltering indoors during the rain. Still, the official start of the campaign has energized the student body.
According to the university’s election commission, 42 candidates have been elected uncontested in Rucsu and hall council polls.
These include 3 from Bijoy-24 Hall, 1 from Mannujan Hall, 6 from Rokeya Hall, 3 from Tapashi Rabeya Hall, 10 from Begum Khaleda Zia Hall, 9 from Rahamatunnesa Hall, and 7 from July-36 Hall.
No nominations were submitted for executive member posts in Rokeya, July-36, and Rahamatunnesa halls, leaving those positions vacant.
Chief Returning Officer Professor Md Setaur Rahman said that these posts will remain unfilled, and the hall councils will function without them.
This year, Rucsu has a total of 28,905 registered voters—11,305 female and 17,596 male.
For the central union, 18 candidates are contesting for vice president, 14 for general secretary, and 16 for assistant general secretary.
Including other Rucsu posts, the total number of candidates stands at 248, with 58 in the senate and 600 in the hall councils.
Each voter will cast 43 votes across Rucsu, hall councils, and senate positions. Polling and vote counting will take place on September 25, with results to be announced the same day.
