RUCSU tenure expires; no election likely this year

RAJSHAHI, Nov 12: The one-year tenure of the elected committee of Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), revived last year after a 35-year hiatus, has expired. But the university administration has yet to take any visible steps towards organising a fresh election.

With admission tests approaching, the need to ensure a conducive electoral environment and an audit of the union’s financial accounts cited as reasons for the delay, another election this year appears highly unlikely. The uncertainty has raised concerns that the student union could once again become inactive after its brief revival.

The RUCSU election was held on October 16 last year, and the elected representatives took oath on October 26. Under the union’s constitution, the committee has a one-year tenure, which expired on October 26 this year.
However, more than two weeks after the expiry, the administration has neither announced an election schedule nor taken any visible initiative to begin the process.

The previous election took around 80 days from the announcement of the schedule to polling. In that election, the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Sammilito Shikkharthi Jote won 20 of the 23 central executive posts. Its 24-point manifesto included a pledge to hold regular RUCSU elections.

Former RUCSU Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Zahid questioned the current administration’s commitment to holding another election.

“The previous administration showed more interest in holding the election than the current one. It is clear that this administration is waiting for a green signal from somewhere. Waiting for such a signal from the government would be disappointing. We have seen a lackadaisical attitude towards RUCSU,” he said.
He also expressed concern that the electoral process could again be discontinued.