RUCSU building being renovated for newly elected leaders

After 35 years, the long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election concluded yesterday, with Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidates achieving a landslide victory.

Of the 23 central positions, Shibir’s panel won 20, including vice-president (VP) and assistant general secretary (AGS).

The remaining three posts went to one Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) panel member, a former coordinator, and an independent candidate.

University authorities have started preparing the RUCSU building for the newly elected representatives. Renovation and repainting work is underway to ready the offices for the VP, general secretary (GS), AGS, and other office bearers.

Officials said the work will be completed by tomorrow, allowing the elected leaders to assume their positions from Monday.

For the past 35 years, in the absence of an active RUCSU, at least 15 cultural and social organizations operated from the building’s rooms. Among them was the Rajshahi University Reporters’ Unity (RURU), which occupied what was originally designated as the VP’s office.

Professor Main Uddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) and head of the renovation work, told that these cultural and social organizations have been temporarily relocated to a tin-shed facility at the university school.

“Painting and refurbishment work began immediately after relocation. The renovation will be completed by tomorrow, and the newly elected representatives will be able to take their seats on Monday,” he said.

In the October 16 election, Mostakur Rahman Zahid of the Shibir-backed Combined Students’ Alliance was elected VP, while SM Salman Sabbir from the same panel won the AGS post. The GS position went to anti-discrimination students movement’s former coordinator, Salauddin Ammar.

A total of 247 candidates contested 23 RUCSU posts this year — 18 for VP, 13 for GS, and 16 for AGS. Eleven student panels, including those backed by Shibir and Chhatra Dal, participated in the election.

Additionally, 58 candidates ran for five student Senate representative posts, while 597 contested in 17 residential hall elections. The total number of voters in the RUCSU and Senate polls was 28,901, including 11,305 female and 17,596 male students.