The Last RAKSU Election Held 35 Years Ago: Who Emerged Victorious

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) last held its election in 1989, marking a gap of nearly three and a half decades. After 35 years, the much-anticipated election is finally set to take place again in 2025, reigniting excitement across the campus.

As election fever sweeps through the university, students are recalling RAKSU’s past, discussing old stories, and seeking to know who had previously held leadership positions. Despite the long passage of time, memories of the 1989 election continue to surface.

The late 1980s were a period of political turmoil and activism nationwide, yet Rajshahi University witnessed a festive and vibrant election. Students queued at polling stations, while campaigning was energetic across the campus, making the election a celebration of student life.

RAKSU back then was not merely a student council; it served as a centre for student movements and demands. The 1989 election brought forth a cohort of young student leaders, many of whom later played significant roles in national politics.

Winners of the 1989 RAKSU Election

Notably, Ruhul Quddus Babu was re-elected as GS in consecutive terms, while ABM Zakirul Haque Titon was re-elected as magazine editor twice. Among the elected panel, the VP position was won solely by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Rizvi, while the others were elected from the Chhatra Sangram Parishad.

Since 1989, RAKSU elections had become a lost chapter in university history, leaving current students largely unaware of past leadership and institutional legacy. History students, like Najmul Alam, note that information gaps have arisen due to the long gap and limited archival access. He suggests that the university administration should make archives, documents, and historical records more accessible to students, ensuring that RAKSU’s history and context are 

A New Chapter Begins

With the 2025 election, a new era of student politics is set to unfold. The upcoming vote will determine the next generation of student leaders, connecting the present students with a historical tradition that has lain dormant for 35 years.

The legacy of the 1989 RAKSU leaders remains an inspiration, showing how student politics can serve as a launchpad for national leadership while fostering a culture of engagement, activism, and governance within the campus.