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The final list of candidates has been announced for the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall council elections.
The list was published on the CUCSU website on Thursday. A total of 414 candidates will be running for the 26 available seats in the student council polls, bdnews24.com reports.
The final list has 24 candidates contesting for the vice president post, 22 for the post of general secretary, and 21 for the post of assistant general secretary.
Prof AKM Ariful Haque Siddique, member secretary of the CUCSU Election Commission, said: "After scrutiny, appeals and withdrawals, 414 people will participate in the CUCSU election. Candidates will be able to officially campaign from (Thursday)."
Beyond the three top posts, the commission declared approved the nominations of 12 candidates for sports and sports affairs secretary, 14 for associate sports and sports affairs secretary, 17 for literature, culture and publications secretary, 15 for associate literature, culture and publications secretary, 17 for office secretary, 14 for associate office secretary, 13 for female student welfare secretary (one of the two posts reserved for female students), 10 for associate female student welfare secretary, 11 for science and information technology secretary, 12 for research and innovation secretary, 20 for social service and environment secretary, 15 for health affairs secretary, 17 for Liberation War and democratic movement secretary, 16 for career development and international secretary, 17 for communication and housing secretary, 14 for associate communication and housing secretary, nine for law and human rights secretary and 20 for library and cafeteria secretary.
In addition, 85 nomination forms have been declared valid for five executive member posts.
The long-delayed election -- the first in 35 years -- saw 529 candidates collect nomination papers. Of these, 429 were ultimately submitted.
On Sept 22, election authorities released a draft list of 410 candidates after scrutiny. Following appeals and applications, 15 of 19 candidates dropped during the initial screening had their nominations restored.
Another 11 candidates withdrew for the election as of Wednesday, the last day to bow out of the races.
Voting is scheduled for Oct 15.
In the absence of a ruling party, Chhatra Dal has declared a panel, while Islami Chhatra Shibir fielded candidates under the banner of “Sampritir Chhatra Jote”.
The Bangladesh Chhatra Union and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front have announced a panel called “Droho Parshad,” while Islami Chhatra Andolan has formed “Sachetan Chhatra Sangsad”.
As of Sunday, a total of 12 panels, including “Boichitrer Oikyo,” have been announced by leftist groups, the Pahari Chhatra Parishad and other social and political organisations active on campus.