Some welcome RUCSU elections postponement, but Shibir opposes

Following a series of events, the Election Commission has postponed the elections to Oct 16

Following a day of tension and unrest, the RUCSU elections have been rescheduled to Oct 16, a decision that drew approval of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, left-wing panels, and independent candidates, while Islami Chhatra Shibir rejected it.

Chhatra Dal, left-wing panels, and independent candidates had demanded the election be delayed due to the ongoing turmoil and the inability to ensure a peaceful, inclusive voting environment.

On the other hand, the Chhatra Shibir called for the election to be held as originally scheduled, on Sept 25.

After several hours of tension on Monday, the Election Commission announced the decision to postpone the election at 7:30pm.

This decision was welcomed by several panels, who expressed relief and approval for a more participatory election process.

Tasin Khan, the first female candidate running for RUCSU vice-president (VP) position from the Sarbojonin Shikkharthi Sangsad panel, expressed joy at the decision, saying a participatory election was not feasible on Sept 25 and calling for a complete resolution of the “dependent quota” issue.

Fuad Ratul, the VP candidate from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parshad, also welcomed the postponement.

He said, “We had been advocating for a delay as we feared a non-participatory election on the original date. The administration’s repeated changes to the election date had led to a lack of trust in the Election Commission.”

He stressed the need for a participatory and inclusive election on Oct 16.

Abdullah Al Kafi, the cultural secretary candidate from the Chhatra Dal-backed Oikyaboddho Notun Projonmo panel, condemned the disruption caused by the “unjust” demands from teachers, officials, and staff, which had created “a state of chaos” on campus.

He also accused the pro-Jamaat-e-Islami teachers of “intentionally creating obstacles” to prevent independent candidates and other panels from campaigning.

On the other hand, VP candidate, Mostakur Rahman Zahid from Shibir-backed Sammilito Shikkharthi Jote accused BNP-aligned teachers of orchestrating a delay to sabotage the election process.

Zahid also accused the opposition panels of seeking to “derail the election”, particularly citing the return of the dependent quota issue as an attempt to delay the vote.

At 9:30pm, the Chhatra Shibir held a press conference in front of the RUCSU treasurer’s office, followed by a protest march around the campus.