Published : 30 Aug 2025, 04:53 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:43 PM
Tasin Khan has announced her candidacy for the vice-president (VP) position in Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election, becoming the first woman to do so.
The student of the Institute of Education and Research, 2020-21 academic year, announced her candidacy on Friday via Facebook.
The first student union election at the university was held in 1956–57 under the name Rajshahi University Students’ Union.
It was renamed the Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) in 1962. Since then, 16 elections have been organised, the last one in 1989.
In this long history, no woman has ever contested the VP position.
Tasin said, “RUCSU is a historic opportunity for us. I’m stepping into the race with my own ideas, without any party support, funding, or activist network. I want a RUCSU where freedom of expression, cultural plurality, and human values are part of everyday practice.
“I’ll work to revive and activate a platform that has long remained inactive.”
Speaking about the July movement, she added: “At that time, it felt like returning to normal life might not be possible. Now that I have this ‘bonus time’, I have no desire for gain or fear of loss. That’s why I’ve stayed away from political organisations.”
She also voiced concerns about the atmosphere on campus surrounding the VP race.
“There could be tension around the VP post,” Tasin said. “There’s a risk of cyberbullying, personal attacks, and edited photos being circulated. The university administration had promised an anti-cyberbullying cell, but I’ve yet to see any action from them.”
The election commission announced the schedule on Jul 28. According to the fourth revised timeline, nomination forms can be collected until Aug 31.
Submission will run from Sept 1 to 4, with scrutiny on Sept 6 and 7.
A preliminary candidate list will be published on Sept 8.
Objections will be accepted and resolved on Sept 9. Nomination withdrawal is set for Sept 10, and the final candidate list will be published on Sept 11.
Nomination forms for the RUCSU and Senate student representative elections will be available at the RUCSU treasurer’s office. For hall union elections, forms must be collected from the administrative office of the respective halls.
Voting will take place on Sept 25, from 9am to 4pm, across all academic buildings of the university. Results will be announced the same day.
