Campaigning for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu), senate student representative, and hall sangsad elections has officially resumed following the Durga Puja holidays.

Candidates began their promotional activities across various campus locations this morning (5 October). However, campaigners noted that while classes and examinations have restarted, majority of students have not yet returned to campus, resulting in a somewhat subdued start to the election drive.

They anticipate a full-fledged campaign will kick off within the next two days.

Meanwhile, the Rucsu Election Commission announced a revised campaign schedule last night (4 October). Candidates are now permitted to campaign from today until 14 October, with extended hours from 8:00am to 10:00pm daily.

Setaur Rahman, Rucsu treasurer and chief returning officer, confirmed the changes, “according to the new schedule, candidates can campaign from 8:00am to 10:00pm. However, on the final day, 14 October, candidates will be allowed to campaign until midnight.”

Previously, the campaigning period was from 10:00am to 10:00pm. The commission reiterated its call for all candidates to strictly adhere to the electoral code of conduct.

Rucsu elections were originally slated for 25 September. However, the polls were postponed to 16 October after campus unrest erupted on 18 September.

This followed the administration’s decision to reinstate the ward quota with 10 conditions. The situation escalated on 20 September with scuffles between students and teachers-officials, leading to a work stoppage by the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum and other officers-employees, effectively paralysing normal campus activities.

In light of the volatile situation, the Rucsu Election Commission held an emergency meeting on 22 September and decided to reschedule the polls. Officers and employees subsequently withdrew their work stoppage on 24 September, setting a seven-day deadline for their demands.