RUCSU election uncertain a year after polls

The continuity of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) has come under uncertainty less than a year after its election was held in October last year, ending a 35-year hiatus.

The election, held following student demands after the July uprising of 2024, raised hopes of restoring democratic practices on campus. However, despite the expiry of the current executive committee’s one-year term, no schedule has been announced for the next election, and no visible preparations have begun.

University authorities say they have several important tasks ahead, including admission tests, and will consider the next election after completing them. Meanwhile, RUCSU leaders and student organisations are demanding an early election schedule to ensure regular polls. The administration, however, has yet to announce a specific timeline.

According to the RUCSU constitution, the elected executive committee serves a one-year term from the date it assumes office. RUCSU Treasurer Professor Setaur Rahman said no decision had yet been made about the next election, despite the expiry of the current committee’s term.

“No decision has been made about the next election so far. It entirely depends on the vice-chancellor. The election will be held when he considers it appropriate. I have prepared and submitted all the information and files requested from me,” he said.

Asked about preparations, Professor Setaur said the vice-chancellor had sought documents detailing the previous election, the officials involved and the challenges encountered.

“I submitted the file accordingly. However, I felt that students were putting pressure on the administration to hold the election. Perhaps this initiative was taken to keep the issue under discussion in that context. But the preparations and procedures required to organise an election are not yet visible in practice,” he said.

RUCSU President and university Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Faridul Islam cited upcoming academic commitments when asked about the administration’s position on the next election.

“We have several important tasks ahead, including admission tests. Organising a major event like the RUCSU election before the admission tests would be quite difficult for us. We have only about two months left. Once the admission process is completed, we will have an opportunity to discuss the matter with everyone,” he said.

Although the vice-chancellor did not rule out an election, his remarks offered no clear indication of when the schedule might be announced, leaving students uncertain about how long they would have to wait for a new committee.

The RUCSU election schedule was announced in July last year. Voting was initially scheduled for September but was postponed several times before the election was finally held on October 16. The Shibir-backed Sammilito Shikkharthi Jote secured a majority in the polls, held after a gap of more than three decades.

The alliance had pledged in its 24-point manifesto to include RUCSU elections in the university calendar, ensuring that polls would be held regularly at fixed intervals. However, despite the current committee’s term expiring, there has been no visible progress towards fulfilling that commitment.

RUCSU Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Zahid said they had repeatedly contacted the administration to push for an election but expressed doubts about its willingness to act.

“We have consistently demanded an election and put pressure on the administration. However, we feel that the administration is waiting for a green signal from the party in government,” he said.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the administration’s role, he said little initiative had been taken regarding the RUCSU election, despite the authorities focusing on other matters.

“They said preparations should begin three months before the election, but nothing has been done so far. When we ask about it, they say the election will be held if students want it. But students have already made it clear that they want an election through the previous polls. We fear the administration is using such statements to create grounds for not holding another election,” he said.

RUCSU Assistant General Secretary Salman Sabbir, however, said discussions had taken place at the administrative level on the next election and reforms to the union’s constitution.

He said the vice-chancellor had instructed the treasurer to prepare the necessary information.

“Ensuring the continuity of RUCSU was one of the key commitments in our manifesto. We have been raising the issue with the vice-chancellor since the third session. At the latest session, held on the 30th of last month, the vice-chancellor assigned the current treasurer the responsibility of preparing the election schedule and reforming the constitution. He also instructed him to provide updated information on both matters promptly,” Salman said.

He added that announcements regarding the election schedule and constitutional reforms would be made through the next syndicate meeting after the treasurer submitted the information.

“We are in regular contact with the treasurer. We hope to receive an update on the matter soon,” he said.

Student organisations on campus have also called for continuity in RUCSU, saying regular student union elections are essential to ensure student representation.

Mehedi Sajib, publicity and media secretary of the university unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, described RUCSU as an important platform for democratic practice and communication between students and the administration.

“RUCSU is an important platform for preserving democratic practices on campus. It can be described as a legitimate platform for students. It is also crucial in building a bridge between students and the administration. We want RUCSU elections to continue,” he said.

Calling for an early announcement, he said the current committee’s term had expired and the administration should immediately declare the schedule for the next election.

“The administration has cited the prevailing environment and circumstances, but no situation has emerged on campus that would make an election disruptive. We will submit a memorandum again demanding the announcement of the schedule without delay,” he added.

The university unit of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal also considers student union elections an important means of ensuring freedom of expression and democratic representation.

Mahmudul Mithu, the organisation’s organising secretary, said political coexistence was essential to maintaining a healthy campus environment.

“Electing student representatives through student union polls is extremely important for freedom of expression and democratic practice. Political coexistence is necessary to ensure a healthy environment on campus. Student union elections represent coexistence and the voices of ordinary students. This is a popular demand among all organisations, not just Chhatra Dal. We have always believed in the democratic process, and we want this tradition to continue,” he said.

Fuad Ratul, convener of the university unit of the Socialist Students’ Front, also stressed the need for regular elections, although he said the current RUCSU had failed to meet expectations.

“Although this RUCSU has failed to meet expectations, the union is necessary to ensure a democratic environment on campus. If students choose their representatives more consciously in the future, there is potential to achieve positive outcomes through RUCSU. We also want RUCSU. I urge students to raise their voices in support of it,” he said.

The RUCSU election, held after a prolonged hiatus, was seen as an important step towards restoring student representation and democratic practices at Rajshahi University. A year later, hopes for regular elections have once again been clouded by uncertainty, with student leaders demanding a new poll while the administration remains unable to provide a timeline.