Rucsu polls: 7 candidates’ nominations cancelled, 315 valid contenders announced

The Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) and Senate election authorities today published the preliminary list of candidates, cancelling the nominations of seven aspirants, including one vice-president (VP) contender.

Chief Election Commissioner Prof AF Nazrul Islam announced the decision at a press briefing around 5:30pm, saying the rejected candidates could appeal to the commission.

According to the list, 255 candidates were found valid for the central union polls and 60 for the Senate race, making it 315 in total.

Among those disqualified are VP aspirant Sagor Ahmed Mia, general secretary aspirant Ashiqur Rahman, assistant environment and social welfare secretary aspirant Shahin Alam, assistant science and technology secretary aspirant Research Chakma, and executive member aspirant Sujon Chandra.

In the Senate race, the candidatures of Maruf Hasan James and Omar Faruk Safin Azmir were also cancelled.

Prof Nazrul said some candidates failed to submit mandatory documents such as bank slips, photographs, and dope-test reports, while one was disqualified for alleged ties with a banned organisation.

Approved contenders for the central union include 19 for vice-president, 14 for general secretary, 16 for assistant general secretary, nine for sports secretary, 11 for cultural affairs secretary, seven for women's affairs secretary, 13 for information and research secretary, 10 for media and publication secretary, 10 for assistant media and publication secretary, 10 for science and technology secretary, six for assistant science and technology secretary, seven for debate and literary affairs secretary, eight for assistant debate and literary affairs secretary, 12 for environment and social welfare secretary, 17 for assistant environment and social welfare secretary, and 55 for executive member.

The preliminary list of hall-level candidates from 17 residential halls has not yet been released. Chief Returning Officer of Rucsu, Prof Setaur Rahman, said it would be uploaded to the Rucsu website by tonight.