Rajshahi, August 7 (V7N) – For the first time in over three decades, students of Rajshahi University are set to regain their long-lost right to democratic representation as the university administration prepares to hold elections for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) after a 35-year hiatus.
 
According to the official schedule announced earlier this month, voting is slated for September 15, marking a significant return to student representation and participatory governance on campus.
 
Welcoming the election announcement, students say the move is not merely a procedural event but a symbolic return to democratic practice. Many believe it could pave the way for a functional student parliament capable of addressing academic and campus-life issues through structured dialogue rather than protest alone.
 
RUCSU was first established in 1961 and functioned as the central platform for student leadership, advocacy, and dialogue with the university administration. Historically, it played a pivotal role in addressing student concerns related to housing, transportation, food quality, security, and academic policies.
 
However, no elections have been held since 1989. The student union gradually became inactive due to increasing political unrest, factional conflicts, and administrative apathy. In the absence of RUCSU, students have had no formal channel to raise concerns, often resorting to protests as their only means of expression.
 
Faria Rahman, a student of Sociology, said, “Without RUCSU, we had no one to represent us. Whether it was dormitory issues, academic delays, or food quality, we didn’t know where to go. If RUCSU had been active, our representatives could have negotiated with the administration through formal mechanisms.”
 
Anwar Hossain, a Political Science student, added, “For years, every stakeholder at the university had a platform—teachers, officers, employees—but not the students. This election could finally end that gap and give us a voice.”
 
The university administration has expressed its commitment to ensuring a transparent and inclusive election. Preparations are underway, including finalizing voter lists, candidate nominations, campaign guidelines, and security protocols.
 
Chief Election Commissioner Professor Md. Amzad Hossain said, “This year’s RUCSU election commission is serious and independent. We will not be influenced by anyone. Everyone will be held to the same standard. This is not Sheikh Hasina’s election—it is for the students.”
 
The move is being widely seen as part of a broader trend towards revitalizing democratic institutions within educational campuses across Bangladesh. Political analysts suggest that a successful RUCSU election could set a precedent for other universities where student unions remain inactive.
 
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