United News of Bangladesh

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election of 2025 isn't just about who wins; it's about a fundamental shift in campus politics. The shift is characterized by a focus on issues, service, and collaboration over traditional ideology and confrontation. This new style, particularly demonstrated by the fresh faces, involves running a continuous "proof-based campaign" highlighting "procedural steps & microresults". The Race for Control: Jote's Scale vs. Oikkoboddo's New Posture According to UNB PLUS data, the contest is primarily between two major panels. The Sommilito Shikkharthi Jote (Shibir) enters as the organized and experienced team , currently commanding the conversation with a strong 58.60% engagement and an "exceptionally clean tone" of 93.75% positivity. The Jote panel, described as disciplined and data-driven, currently leads the overall race. In contrast, the JCD-backed Oikkoboddo Notun Projanmo panel is the face of change, introducing "fresh faces" who are academically strong and politically unscarred. Their candidates including Nur Uddin (VP), Nafiul Islam Jibon (GS), and Zahin Biswas Esha (AGS) are first-time contestants focused on process, policy, and inclusion. Oikkoboddo retains a substantial presence with 36.52% engagement but carries a heavier negative load (15.52%) than Jote, which the analysis suggests they must reduce to win over undecided voters. Read more: RUCSU elections underway after 35 years  Crucially, this JCD-backed group has introduced a new political vocabulary, running a continuous "proof-based campaign" focused on "procedural steps and microresults" like seat-list transparency and Wi-Fi uptime, demonstrating a significant departure from confrontational, older models of student politics. Key Contests: VP Leans Jote, AGS is a "Photofinish" According to UNB PLUS data, while Jote is predicted to take the overall panel with a moderate-to-high confidence, the individual lane races are intense: - Vice President (VP): Mostakur Rahman (Jote) currently leads with 62.29% engagement, holding a sustained margin over Sheikh Nur Uddin (Oikkoboddo) at 36.41%. - General Secretary (GS): Fahim Reza (Jote) leads in reach with 67.28% engagement. However, his opponent, Nafiul Islam Jibon (Oikkoboddo), maintains the highest positive tone of any major candidate at 98.06%. - Assistant General Secretary (AGS): This is the most competitive race, deemed a "photofinish." S M Salman Sabbir (Jote) edges the lead in engagement at 47.89%, while his rival, Zahin Biswas Esha (Oikkoboddo), is right behind at 47.73%. While Esha retains scale, Salman's campaign carries a "far cleaner tone" (95.38% positive vs. Esha's 70.98%), a factor that may prove decisive. Read more: No extra ballots printed for RUCSU election: EC Voter Demand: Fairness and Service Over Ideology The ultimate decider for the election is not ideological loyalty, but a demand for "unity-driven fairness with service visibility". While the election process itself remains the dominant topic (62% of engagement), the "marginal votegetters" are themes of Unity (17.43%) and Services & Facilities (7.58%). Students are seeking leaders who can make the system work by becoming a "bargaining authority" that compels the administration to deliver, ensuring accountability and transparency. The Bigger Picture RUCSU Election 2025 is a test of whether today's students will choose the "comfort of old-school, transactional politics" or back a "longer game" where institutions are made more answerable. No matter the final seat count, the election has already marked a significant turning point, institutionalizing a data-driven, digital-first, and policy-minded student leadership that has successfully changed the tone of politics. Read more: Security heightened ahead of RUCSU polls

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) has remained dormant for around 31 years, despite demands by student organisations and ‘promises of election’ by the authorities concerned.