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RAJSHAHI, Oct 15, 2025 (BSS) - Rajshahi University (RU) has set to hold the long-cherished election to Rajshahi University Central Students Union (RUCSU), 17 Hall Councils and five students representatives to the Senate-2025 tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference at RU Senate Bhaban today Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam said polling will be conducted at 990 booths across 17 centres set up in nine academic buildings. 

He further said all logistical and administrative arrangements have been finalized.
 
Vote counting will be carried out using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines, with the entire process displayed live on a giant screen in front of the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium to ensure maximum transparency.
 
A total of 28,905 students are eligible to vote in the elections-17,600 from 11 male residential halls and 11,305 from six female halls.
 
According to the Election Commission, 903 candidates are contesting the elections-248 for RUCSU, 597 for Hall Councils, and 58 for Senate seats.
 
In the RUCSU polls, 18 candidates are vying for the post of Vice-President (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). 

In the Hall Councils, 61 are contesting for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS. In six female halls, 16 candidates each are contesting for VP and GS posts, while 15 are vying for the AGS post.
 
A total of 11 student panels are participating across RUCSU, Hall Councils, and Senate elections.
 
Professor Nazrul Islam said unprecedented security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful polling. 

A three-tier security system will be in place on campus. From October 15 to 17, around 2,000 police personnel, 12 platoons of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be deployed. 

RAB and BGB will also set up temporary camps within the university premises to maintain law and order. 

Meanwhile, in a public notice, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has imposed a ban for proper, neutral and successful completion of the election to RUCSU.
 
The ban will remain in place from midnight on October 15 to midnight on October 17 to keep the law and order normal.
 
As per the decision, all sorts of processions, meetings, gathering, agitation, use of loudspeaker and blasting of crackers have been banned within 200 yards surrounding the campus.
 
Simultaneously, possessing and carrying of arms, knife, gun, and explosives have totally been banned.
 
The notice also warned that legal action will be taken against those who will be found guilty.
 
It also urged the teachers, students and other public in general to abide by the order so that the student body election is held peacefully and successfully.

RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Saleh Hassan Naquib said successful conduct of the RUCSU polls is the top priority of the current administration.
 
"Holding the student election is much easier if all teachers, students, officers, and employees work together," he said.
 
He added that the election is being held after overcoming all kinds of obstacles. "The Election Commission, Returning Officers, and candidates are preparing with utmost sincerity," he said.
 
"We will restore the university's democratic tradition by holding this election successfully and move the university forward," the VC said.
 
He noted that the RUCSU election is being held after a long gap of 35 years. "We are organising this poll after breaking a longstanding deadlock and overcoming various challenges," he added.
 
All, including the university administration and students, are eagerly awaiting the election, Prof Naquib said, expressing hope that a level playing field will remain intact throughout the process.