Desk Report,
Raksu election date changed again amid criticism
The date of Rajshahi University Central Student Union (RACSU), Hall Union and Senate Student Representative elections has been changed in the face of criticism. The new date for voting has been fixed for September 25.
Raksu election date changed again amid criticism
Earlier, the Election Commission had fixed the new date for voting on the Mahasashthi day of Sharadiya Durga Puja (September 28) on Wednesday afternoon. The election date was initially fixed for September 15.
In the face of criticism across the campus for setting the election date on the Mahasashthi day, the Election Commission held an emergency meeting at 7 pm today on Wednesday. The meeting decided to reschedule the new date and schedule of the election to ensure the participation of students of traditional religions. After the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Professor F Nazrul Islam said in a press briefing at around 9:30 pm tonight, ‘Considering the Mahasashthi day of the students of traditional religions, the election date has been rescheduled to September 25 to ensure the participation of everyone.’
According to the university calendar, the election date was announced on that day as September 28 is a working day, Professor F Nazrul Islam said, ‘We wanted to hold the election on the previously scheduled September 15. But the decision had to be reversed after accepting various demands of the students.’
According to the revised schedule, nomination papers will be distributed till 5 pm on August 31; nomination papers can be submitted from September 1 to 4; nomination papers will be selected on September 6 and 7, the initial list of candidates will be published on September 8; objections of candidates will be received and resolved on September 9; nomination papers can be withdrawn on September 15; the final list of candidates will be published on September 11.
Voting will be held in the academic building from 9 am to 4 pm on September 25.
University sources said that in view of several demands of active student organizations and Chhatra Dal’s request for two months’ time, two emergency meetings of the Election Commission were held yesterday, Tuesday and today. After yesterday’s meeting, three decisions were announced at a press conference at around 4:45 pm, including an extension of the nomination paper distribution time by 5 days.
