Shibir Condemns Postponement of RAKSU Elections as a Conspiracy

The Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly protested the postponement of the Rajshahi University Central Student Union (RAKSU) elections, calling it part of a deliberate conspiracy to sabotage the election.

According to the organisation, the university administration is manipulating circumstances to implement the agenda of a particular student faction by repeatedly changing the election date.

On Tuesday, 23 September, Central President Zahidul Islam and Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam issued a joint statement expressing their objections.

In the statement, the leaders said:

• “After a long gap of 35 years, the long-awaited RAKSU election is being repeatedly disrupted by invisible signals. Just as election campaigns and preparations were reaching their final stage amid great enthusiasm, the university administration deliberately created undesirable circumstances to implement a specific party’s agenda by changing the election date.
• The election date had already been postponed three times, with 25 September originally set for the poll. However, citing the very same artificially created circumstances, the administration postponed it again to 16 October. We consider this far from a normal process; it is clearly part of a plot to sabotage the elections. We strongly condemn the university administration’s reckless decision.”

They added that the administration has historically provided unethical advantages to a particular student party. The inability of this party to form a panel initially caused the election to be moved from 15 September to 25 September. Despite rules requiring the election schedule to be announced by 30 June, this was delayed. Subsequently, the schedule was declared on 28 July for 15 September, later changed to 25 September, and now, immediately before the election, postponed again to 16 October. The leaders expressed doubt over whether the administration could organise the elections properly under the revised timeline, citing partiality and non-cooperation from loyalist teachers as issues affecting credibility.

Shibir leaders emphasised:

• “Some panels, fearing defeat, are actively attempting to sabotage the election. The joy expressed by these groups at the date changes is clear evidence. Such farcical manipulation of students in connection with RAKSU elections is entirely unacceptable. Many candidates could not even attend regular classes due to the extensive time, effort, and financial costs incurred during election preparations. Yet, the administration has completely ignored these concerns to favour one party’s interests.”
• “We are deeply concerned about this abrupt administrative decision. Nevertheless, we believe that students will not be deterred. Through RAKSU elections, they will choose their true representatives, counter all conspiracies, and transform the campus into a genuinely student-friendly environment, free from party domination, InshaaAllah.”

Background Table: RAKSU Election Postponements

The Shibir’s statement reflects growing tension at Rajshahi University, highlighting the students’ demand for fair and impartial elections and their determination to uphold democratic representation on campus.