Bangladesh, Aug. 27 -- Students and organisations at Rajshahi University have expressed anger after the authorities pushed back the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) election to Sept 28 -- a date that coincides with Maha Shashthi, one of the most significant days of the Hindu Durga Puja festival.

The revised date was announced on Wednesday by Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam, who said administrative changes, security concerns and dope tests for candidates necessitated delaying the polls originally scheduled for Sept 15.

But with around 3,500 Hindu students on campus, many fear the timing will disenfranchise a large group of voters.

"We strongly protest this. Not only Hindu students, but the campus will ...