Non-resident voters may decide RUCSU election as turnout concerns mount

With roughly 68 percent of Rajshahi University students living off-campus, candidates and officials fear low turnout and say non-resident voters could decide the RUCSU race

More than three and a half decades on, as voting day for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall unions and Senate student representatives draws near, the campaign map is coming into focus, and many believe students living outside the halls will be the ultimate “deciders”.

Their reasoning is blunt. With around 68 percent of students non-resident, they remain distant from the election atmosphere, and many may not turn up on polling day.

Candidates also say they struggle to reach this off-campus majority, a factor that could rewrite the electoral arithmetic.

A UNIVERSITY THAT OUTGREW ITS BEDS

Rajshahi University began its journey on Jul 6, 1953 with just 161 students, holding classes and administration at Rajshahi College, Boro Kuthi and other sites. In 1958, work started on a dedicated 304.73 hectares (753-acre) campus at Motihar. Full operations began there in 1964.

According to the latest official handbook, the university now has 12 faculties, 59 departments and six advanced research institutes, with about 30,000 students.

There are 17 residential halls and one international dormitory offering a total of 9,673 seats -- meaning roughly 32 percent of students can be accommodated. The rest live off-campus.

COST, SAFETY GAPS FRUSTRATE STUDENTS

Off-campus students typically pay Tk 1,500–3,000 a month for a mess room, while hall residents pay Tk 100 in monthly fees. Dining is also cheaper for hall residents. Off-campus students say comparable meals cost significantly more outside.

Shahid Ali, a third-year student living in a Meherchondi mess, said: “Even in third year at a public university, I still haven’t got a hall seat. Before, we were told seats were ‘occupied’. What’s the excuse now?

"After classes all day, I don’t feel like going out again to eat, and outside food is expensive. So I end up eating at the mess, nutrition be damned.”

Students in lab-heavy programmes say off-campus living hurts academic work, while women cite safety concerns travelling late.

Rumman, a second-year at the Faculty of Fine Arts who lives in the Bhadra residential area and gave a single name, said: “Most of our work is hands-on. Many classmates in halls can stay on campus until 10 at night without worry and that puts them ahead. Those of us living outside have to get back early for safety.”

The missed experience of hall life rankles too. Some complete their degrees without ever getting a seat. Although the political shift on campus has improved access somewhat, the number of halls and seats has not grown enough. Two-thirds still live off-site.

Redowan Islam, a postgraduate student, said: “I finally got a seat last month, and I finish in early December. In six years on campus, I’ll have spent less than six months in a hall. Some friends applied multiple times and gave up. I want a fully residential university so no one has to feel this regret.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Farid Khan said, “Students are now being allotted hall seats properly through applications. Project proposals for four new halls are being prepared, and two halls under construction are progressing. We have further plans to address accommodation.”

HOUSING DOMINATES THE CAMPAIGN

With RUCSU ballot approaching, accommodation has moved to the top of campaign pledges. Most panels promise 100 percent residential capacity.

Tasin Khan, VP candidate from the Sarbojonin Chhatra Sangsad (All-Students’ Union) panel, said:

“Non-resident students are pivotal. Classes and exams will be shut for two days before the poll, but there’s still uncertainty whether off-campus students will come to vote.”

Salahuddin Ammar, GS candidate from the Anti-Domination Unity panel, said: “We’ve long warned about turnout among those living far from campus. It’s a reality that after so many years, we still have to demand accommodation. That will inevitably affect the result.”

Salman Sabbir, AGS candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported Combined Students’ Alliance, said: “We’re trying to reach non-resident students too, and the response has been encouraging. We hope turnout at RUCSU will exceed that at DUCSU and JUCSU.”

WHY THE WORRY OVER NON-RESIDENT VOTERS

The campus is about 12km from Rajshahi city. The transport office currently runs 26 buses for students. Because the university is not fully residential, many commute daily from nearby Kajla, Binodpur, and Meherchondi, as well as Baneshwar, Puthia and Tanore.

With classes suspended for the two days before the vote, the question is whether commuters will still come to campus to cast their ballots.

VP candidate Tasin said, “Even with polling centres in academic buildings, some doubt whether even hall residents will go. That uncertainty is greater for non-residents. The administration and Election Commission could run awareness drives to encourage turnout.”

Yamin, a second-year student who travels from Katakhali, said: “Those who commute from far don’t think much about RUCSU. Many don’t even know who’s running. Hall students are more aware.”

First-year student Raisul Riyad, who stays with relatives in Tanore, added: “A round trip takes two and a half hours. If bus services are increased on polling day, students like us could vote more easily.”

Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam said the commission has been urging students to participate. “RUCSU is dear to all of us," he said, "We’ve repeatedly called on students to respond spontaneously. We’ve already held meetings and seminars so they are aware and come to vote.”

Many also claim local political influence in off-campus areas.

Binodpur, beside the university, is often described as a base for Islami Chhatra Shibir, long restricted from operating openly on campus. Shibir also houses first-year students at a building called “Student Welfare Foundation” in Binodpur, something observers say could influence the vote.

Mehedi Maruf, a VP candidate and president of the Student Rights Council, said: “Localised political dynamics will exert a kind of latent influence. Where organisations house and look after their activists in messes, there may be effects. But I believe our students are smart, they’ll vote based on long struggles and for the most qualified candidates.”

BUSES AND BALLOTS: A COORDINATION TEST

Many argue that coordination between the Election Commission and the university’s transport office is crucial to ensure non-resident turnout, especially more trips and safer travel on polling day.

For now, there are no special services planned, and no formal coordination has been announced.

Transport administrator Prof Abdur Razzak said, “We’ll run two morning trips and one afternoon trip on polling day. The Election Commission hasn’t told us to increase trips.”

CEC Prof F Nazrul added, “Bus trips will run as usual. We haven’t planned to add more yet. If needed, we’ll discuss with the transport office to increase them.”