Staff Correspondent:

The Rajshahi University authorities have extended by five days the deadline for collecting and submitting nomination papers for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election.

Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam said on Tuesday afternoon that the extension meant the election date would also be pushed back.

The commission has yet to announce a new schedule.

The CEC says several changes are being introduced in connection with the election. These are: shifting polling centres from residential to academic buildings, forming a cyber cell, and adding photographs to the voter list.

He said, “We sat in a meeting today in response to multiple demands, including the change of the chief election commissioner and more time for dope tests.”

Referring to the inclusion of first-year students in the voter list, he said: “They have been admitted after we announced the election schedule. Therefore, according to the constitution, they cannot participate in the vote.”

The commission had previously announced the election schedule on Jul 28.

According to the revised schedule, students will be able to collect the nomination forms until Aug 31.