Voting started at 9:00am at 990 booths across 17 centres in nine academic buildings
Ruscu election at a glance-
Voting in the long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election began this morning, ending 35 years of dormancy and months of uncertainty and postponements.
Students started casting their ballots at 9:00am at 990 booths across 17 centres in nine academic buildings, under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner F Nazrul Islam. The voting will continue till 4:00pm.
Our correspondents are reporting from the universiry campus. Follow our real-time updates below-
11:40am
JCD-backed candidate allege irregularities in Rucsu polls
Candidates backed by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have expressed mixed reactions after visiting polling centres during the election.
After inspecting the polling centre at the Zuberi Building, Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, alleged that polling agents were not being allowed to access voter lists containing photographs, adding that he had raised the issue with the chief election commissioner, who assured him of action.
Photo: Nur Ahsan Mridul
However, the JCD panel's GS candidate said voting so far appeared fair and peaceful, adding that they would accept the results if the process remained free and democratic.
11:15am
Ink is used mainly to follow Ducsu and Jucsu procedures: VC
Rucsu Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam today said using ink in the Rucsu election was not a major concern.
"We used the ink mainly because it was also used in the Ducsu and Jucsu elections. If anyone rubs it with water or a chemical immediately after marking, it may fade," he said.
"However, we have implemented four layers of security, including verifying voters' names and photographs with the official lists, so there is no risk of fake or multiple voting," he said.
Responding to a query about allegations that the ink on voters' fingers was fading, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib said, "I would say that if one does not deliberately rub the ink immediately after it is applied and allows it some time to dry, it will not come off, In Sha Allah."
10:30am
Students allege ink washing off during polls
Several students at Rajshahi University have alleged that the ink used to mark voters' fingers during the ongoing Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu), hall, and Senate elections is washing off easily.
Around 9:15am, shortly after casting their votes, a number of students coming out of polling centres claimed that the ink applied to their fingers was not indelible.
Akib, a voter from Ziaur Rahman Hall, said the issue might create doubts about the voting process.
Photo: Star
Another voter, Ashfia Tabassum, a student of the finance Department (2019–20 session) from Rahmatunnessa Hall, shared a similar experience. "I came to campus only to cast my vote. The voting process went well, but after coming out, I noticed that the ink on my finger was rubbing off easily. It's not supposed to happen," she said.
Election officials could not be reached immediately for comment on the allegation.
Photo: Nur Ahsan Mridul
9:00am
From early morning, students were seen leaving their dormitories and heading to polling centres. Residential students moved from room to room, waking up their peers and urging them to cast their votes early.
By 8:30am, ballot boxes were sealed at all centres under the supervision of election officials. Law enforcement personnel were deployed across the campus to maintain order, with police and other security forces stationed near every polling booth.
Voters were seen lining up before voting centres. Although the turnout seems thin during the first hour of voting, candidates expressed hope that it would increase as the day progressed.
A total of 28,901 registered students are set to cast their votes to elect leaders from 902 candidates: 247 candidates are contesting for the 23 Rucsu posts, 58 for the five Senate posts, and 597 for 15 hall union positions.
Of the 212 teachers involved, 17 will serve as presiding officers.
Vote counting will begin around 5:00pm and efforts will be made to release results from all 17 centres within 17 hours of the start of counting.
Security measures have been tightened across the campus: about 2,000 police personnel, six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh, and 12 platoons of the Rapid Action Battalion will be deployed.
Photo: Shohanur Rahman Rafi
A special cyber cell has also been formed to prevent cyberattacks or online harassment during the polls, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian said at a briefing with police personnel on the Zuberi Building field at 10:30am yesterday.
Initially planned for the second or third week of June, the date was later fixed for September 15, as per the schedule announced on July 28.
It was then postponed to September 28 to make the polls more participatory and to allow time for dope tests for candidates.
The election was delayed again by 13 days as polling centres were shifted from residential halls to the academic buildings.
Photo: Arafat Rahaman
Later, due to Maha Shasthi, a major Hindu festival, the vote was rescheduled for September 25.
Following an altercation on September 20 between students and university staff over demands to abolish the ward quota, the election was once again deferred and finally rescheduled for October 16, marking the third revision of the date.
Founded in 1962, Rucsu has held 14 elections to date. The student body's activities remained suspended after 1990.
The last election was held in 1989, when Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed and Ruhul Kuddus Babu were elected vice-president and general secretary, respectively.
