The Rajshahi University authorities on Wednesday announced a revised schedule for the central students’ union elections, a day after abruptly suspending the pre-set schedule for distributing nomination papers, drawing stern criticism from the students.
Citing ‘unavoidable circumstances’, the authorities about midnight past Tuesday suspended the distribution of nomination papers for the long-awaited central students’ union elections, which was scheduled to begin at 9:00am Wednesday.
The decision triggered frustration among students, who termed the move ‘undemocratic’ and an attempt to delay the polls.
Following the backlash, university authorities on Wednesday rescheduled the distribution schedule.
According to the new schedule, nomination papers will now be distributed in August 24–26, the dates for submission of the nomination papers have been rescheduled for August 27–28.
The primary list of the candidates will be published on September 02, following scrutiny, and the candidates will be able to withdraw their candidacy on the following day, while the election will be held on the previously scheduled date, on September 15.
About the midnight suspension notice, RUCSU chief election commissioner Professor Md Amzad Hossain told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· that the notice was issued as they could not deliver the nomination papers for hall unions to the authorities of the residential halls due to the ongoing work-abstention programme enforced by the university teachers and officials.
The teachers and officials at the university are currently waging a movement pressing for the reinstatement of the recently abolished quota facility for admission to undergraduate courses for their children and grandchildren.
As part of the movement they have been observing work abstention, staying away from most regular activities, except for holding examinations and other urgent work.
‘We are committed to holding the elections in a fair and peaceful manner. The revised schedule has been published, and there should be no confusion among students,’ said Professor Amzad.
Student leaders and prospective candidates, however, voiced frustration.
RU unit president of Bangladesh Student Union Rakib Hossain said that the midnight suspension of the nomination paper distribution left them in confusion.
‘The authorities have ignored our repeated demands, including relocating polling centres to the academic buildings from the residential halls. We suspect a conspiracy to foil the polls,’ he added.
RU unit president of Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir Mostakur Rahman Jahid and general secretary Mujahid Faisal, in a statement, alleged that the suspension seemed aimed at favouring non-students linked to a particular political group.
‘We want to state clearly that if the commission makes any such compromise and fails to complete all necessary tasks of RUCSU elections as scheduled, students across the campus will be compelled to launch a strong movement and press harder for the immediate holding of the polls,’ they stated.
General secretary of RU unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Sardar Jahurul said that the authorities did not discuss with them either before announcing the RUCSU election schedule or before suspending the nomination form distribution.
‘The authorities do not have any unity among them. They are whimsically taking decisions. They are disregarding all our objections and demands,’ he alleged.
Former RU unit Students Against Discrimination coordinator Salahuddin Ammar warned of a grave crisis if the authorities failed to hold the elections as scheduled.
Earlier on July 29, university authorities announced the RUCSU election schedule, setting September 15 as the election date.
According to the previous schedule, distribution of nomination papers was supposed to begin on August 20, and the deadline for submission of nomination papers was August 23.