Rajshahi University is set for a fiercely contested student election on 25 September, with 903 candidates vying for positions in the Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall unions and the university senate, while 39 contenders have already been elected unopposed.

Four posts, however, will remain vacant as no nominations were filed for them, according to the final list released by the Election Commission on Monday.

Chief Returning Officer Dr Setaur Rahman confirmed at a press conference that the election will proceed with these four posts unfilled.

He added that, in line with the electoral code of conduct, candidates who stood unchallenged in 39 positions have been declared elected without contest.

Of the 903 aspirants, 248 are running in the RUCSU election alone. Among them, 18 will contest for vice-president (VP), 13 for general secretary (GS), and 16 for assistant general secretary (AGS).

Another 597 candidates are competing across 17 hall unions, while 58 are standing for the senate.

The 39 uncontested winners include three candidates from Bijoy 71 Hall, one from Munnujan, six from Begum Rokeya, three from Tapashi Rabeya, ten from Begum Khaleda Zia, nine from Rahamatunnesa Hall and seven from July-36 Hall. In contrast, no one filed nominations for the assistant debate and literature secretary post of Begum Khaleda Zia Hall and one executive member post each in Rokeya, July-36 and Rahamatunnesa Halls.

According to the voter list, 28,901 students – 17,596 male and 11,305 female – are eligible to cast their ballots.

The university has 17 residential halls, 11 for male and six for female students, where 597 candidates are contesting 255 seats in hall unions.

This year’s election will see 11 panels in the fray. Six are backed by political parties, one is led by three former coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and four are independent, university sources said.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has announced a 23-member panel, fielding Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir for VP, Nafiul Jibon for GS and Jahin Biswash Esha for AGS.

Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Sammilita Shikkharthi Jote, also running a full 23-member slate, has nominated Mostakur Rahman Zahid for VP, Fazley Rabbi Muhammad Fahim Reja for GS and SM Salman Rabbi for AGS.

Other panels include Sarbajanin Shikkharthi Sangsad, fielding Tasin Khan (VP), Rajan Al Ahmed (GS) and Mahair Islam (AGS); Adhipatyabirodhi Oikya with Mehedi Sajib (VP), Salauddin Ammar (GS) and Akil Bin Taleb (AGS); and Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad with Fuhad Ratul (VP), Kaosar Ahmed (GS) and Nasim Sarker (AGS).

RUCSU for Radical Change is running Mehedi Maruf (VP), Afrin Jahan (GS) and Al Shahriar Shubho (AGS), while Sachetan Shikkharthi Sangsad has nominated Mahbub Alam (VP), Shariful Islam (GS) and Parvej Akanda (AGS). From Aprotirodhya-24, Masud Kibria (VP), Poroma Paramita (GS) and Sanjida Parveen (AGS) are in the race, while Swatantra Shikkharthi Jote has put forward Tawhidul Islam (VP), Nusrat Jahan (GS) and Zannat Ara Nawshin (AGS).

The candidates for VP, GS and AGS posts from the Independent Student Alliance and United for Rights panels were not confirmed at the time of reporting.

Voting will be conducted in the university’s academic buildings from 9am to 4pm on 25 September.

University authorities said preparations are in full swing, with a festive atmosphere already visible across the campus ahead of the much-anticipated election.