Voting for the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU), 17 Hall Councils, and five Student Representatives to the Senate concluded peacefully on campus on Thursday (Oct 16), accompanied by a festive atmosphere.
Counting of votes began at Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium using modern Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines. The entire counting process is being displayed on a large screen outside the auditorium for transparency.
Election Commissioner Professor Mostofa Kamal Akanda told BSS that ballot boxes were brought to the auditorium and sorted into 100 colour-coded bundles, which are now being processed through the OMR machines. "An expert team is monitoring the entire process," he said, adding that counting for each hall is being conducted in three phases. The results and scrutiny of all 17 halls are expected to take 14 to 16 hours.
Prof. Akanda emphasized that the process is open to all, ensuring transparency and reducing tension among candidates and students.
Chief Election Commissioner Prof. Dr. F Nazrul Islam said polling began at 9:00 am across 990 booths in nine academic buildings and continued until 4:00 pm. Voting was conducted via the OMR method, with 212 teachers serving as presiding and assistant presiding officers and 91 others as polling officers. An expert team is preparing the election results.
The elections saw enthusiastic participation, with long queues at polling centres throughout the day. Rafiul Islam Zibon, General Secretary candidate from the Oikya Buddha Projonmo Panel, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful environment and voiced confidence in his victory.
A total of 28,905 students were eligible to vote—17,600 from 11 male residential halls and 11,305 from six female halls. 903 candidates contested in the elections: 248 for RUCSU, 597 for Hall Councils, and 58 for Senate seats.
In RUCSU elections, 18 candidates vied for Vice-President, 13 for General Secretary, and 16 for Assistant General Secretary. Hall Council elections featured 61 candidates for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS posts. In female halls, 16 candidates competed for VP and GS, and 15 for AGS positions. A total of 11 student panels participated across RUCSU, Hall Council, and Senate elections.
To ensure peaceful polling, unprecedented security measures were in place. A three-tier security system was enforced, including 2,300 police personnel, 12 RAB platoons, and six BGB platoons. Temporary camps were also set up by RAB and BGB on campus.
The elections marked a successful and transparent exercise in student democracy at Rajshahi University.
MN/
