Students queue to vote in RUCSU polls amid festivity and tight security. Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Oct 16, 2025 (BSS) - Voting for the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU), 17 Hall Councils, and five Student Representative to the Senate began on the campus in a festive atmosphere.

Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam told BSS that polling began at 9 am across 990 booths under 17 centres in nine academic buildings and will continue until 4 pm. 

The polling is being held in the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) method.

Since morning, long queues of students have been seen at various polling centres as voters cast their ballots amid enthusiasm and festivity.

Talking to BSS, Rafiul Islam Zibon, the General Secretary candidate from the Oikya Buddha Projonmo Panel, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful environment and voiced confidence about his victory.

A total of 28,905 students are eligible to vote in the elections - 17,600 from 11 male residential halls and 11,305 from six female halls.

According to Professor Nazrul Islam, 903 candidates are contesting in the polls - 248 for RUCSU, 597 for Hall Councils, and 58 for Senate seats.

In the RUCSU election, 18 candidates are vying for the post of Vice-President (VP), 13 for General Secretary (GS), and 16 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS).

For the Hall Councils, 61 are contesting for VP, 58 for GS, and 57 for AGS posts. In the six female halls, 16 candidates each are competing for VP and GS positions, while 15 are vying for the AGS post.

A total of 11 student panels are participating in the RUCSU, Hall Council, and Senate elections.

To ensure peaceful polling, Professor Nazrul Islam said unprecedented security measures have been taken. A three-tier security system has been enforced across the campus.