Rucsu elections: Vote counting begins
Ruscu election at a glance-
- Total 28,901 voters
- Total 902 candidates
- 247 contesting for the 23 Rucsu posts
- 58 for the five Senate posts
- 597 for 15 hall union positions
- 212 teachers involved, 17 will serve as presiding officers
- 990 booths across 17 centres in nine academic buildings
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.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 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 continued till 4:00pm.
Our correspondents are reporting from the universiry campus. Follow our real-time updates below-
8:25pm
Vote counting begins
Vote counting for the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucus) elections began at 8:25pm, said RU CEC Professor F Nazul Islam.
The Election Commission earlier said that the counting process may take 12-15 hours from the start.
4:00pm
Voting for the Rucsu election concluded
Voting for the Rucsu election ended smoothly except one centre, with presiding officers from all stations declaring the close simultaneously and no major incidents reported.
By 5:30pm, all ballot boxes will be moved to the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium, where counting is scheduled to begin at 6:00pm. Live results will be displayed on an LED screen at the venue.
3:30pm
BNP-Backed Panel Alleges Vote Rigging by Shibir
The BNP-backed Oikyoboddho Notun Projonmo panel has accused Islami Chhatra Shibir of rigging votes in the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu), hall union, and student representative to the senate elections.
The allegations were made at a press conference held at the university's Transport Market around 3:30 pm today (Thursday, October 16).
Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, vice president (VP) candidate from the panel, told reporters that voting activities were halted for nearly an hour at the Shahidullah Academic Building.
"Long queues of students were seen outside. When we entered the polling centre, we found around 100 ballot papers already signed," he alleged.
Abir added that the polling environment was initially fair in the morning but later deteriorated as outsiders began entering the campus.
"Many people wearing Shibir panel jerseys were seen roaming around the area. Even armed cadres were reportedly stockpiling weapons nearby," he claimed.
3:00pm
Over 50% votes cast by 2pm: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner F Nazrul Islam said that over 50 percent of votes had been cast by around 2:00pm.
Ballot papers are expected to arrive by 5:30pm, after which the counting will begin around 6:00pm at the university's Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium.
2:45pm
Outsiders enter campus 'with help of administration, Shibir-backed panel GS candidate says
he Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, Sammilito Chhatra Jote, has alleged widespread irregularities in the ongoing Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election, accusing the university administration and the Election Commission of negligence.
At a press conference held around 2:00pm in front of the central library, panel leaders raised the allegations.
Chhatra Shibir-backed panel 's General Secretary candidate Fahim Reza claimed that, despite the ban on campaigning within 100 yards of polling centres, the candidates supported by Chhatra Dal had been conducting promotional activities nearby.
He further alleged that outsiders were being allowed to enter the campus "with the help of the university administration," saying the administration was facilitating the entry of non-students through the main gates.
The Election Commission permitted voters to carry small notes listing candidates into polling centres while supporters of the Shibir-backed panel were not allowed to do so, he claimed.
The panel have informed the Election Commission about instances of misinformation and irregularities, but said no action was taken, he said.
"We will not accept irregularities, but we will not leave the election either," the leader said.
12:40pm
Voting sees high participation; 40% ballots cast by midday
Around 40 percent of votes were cast in the first three and a half hours of polling in the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election.
Rucsu Treasurer Professor Setaur Rahman told The Daily Star around 12:35pm that voting was progressing smoothly with strong student participation.
A total of 28,901 registered students are eligible to cast their votes to elect new representatives for the Rucsu, Senate, and hall unions.
12:00pm
'We expect over 70 percent voter turnout today': RU VC
The long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election witnessed strong voter turnout and enthusiastic participation from students across the campus today.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Nakib said the voting was proceeding peacefully.
"Everything is going smoothly. Like other universities, we expect over 70 percent voter turnout today," he said. "There is no security concern, and we hope to announce the results within 12 to 15 hours."
From early morning, students thronged polling centres, forming long queues that continued to grow as the day progressed.
"I was surprised to see such a big line when I arrived," said Tahsin Kajal, a student of the Economics department. "It might take a while before I can cast my vote, but I'm really happy—this is my first time voting in a student election."
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.
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: EC
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.
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.
9:00am
Voting in Rucsu polls begins
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.
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.
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.
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