Tarik Hasan and Nuruzzaman who passed HSC examinations recently from Rajshahi University School and College emerged champion and runner-up in higher secondary students' group.

In graduate students' group, Ruhi Das Chandra of law and justice department and Mutasim Billah of public administration department at Rajshahi University became champion and runner-up respectively.

The four were awarded a trophy along with medals and certificates and they would take part in the final round competition in Dhaka.

The jury board, however, selected eight other students as winners from each groups and honoured them with medals and certificates.

They are Abdur Rahim Sumon, Nahid Khan Apu, Moklesur Rahman, Atiqur Rahman, Bidyut Kumar and Afroza Akhtar of RU School and College, Tahmina Khatun of Barendra College and Mazharul Islam Rony of New Degree Government College in higher secondary group.

In graduate group, the winners are Helal Uddin, Kajol Kumar Sarkar, Uzzal Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, Habib Satti, Akhtarul Islam, Ruhul Amin and Minhajul Haque of RU.

They were adjudged on the basis of an hour-long objective tests on election, constitution, political parties and system of governance in the country.

Eminent economist and Sujon Chairman Prof Muzaffer Ahmed was the chief guest at the competition that followed a discussion at Zila Parishad auditorium.

Sujon member-secretary and hunger project country Director Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, former Rajshahi Mayor Abdul Hadi and Sujon Bogra unit President Al Mahmud were present.

Sujon Rajshahi unit President Prof AHM Jehadul Karim presided over the discussion moderated by its Secretary Prof ANM Saleh.

Sujon (Citizen for Good Governance) and Channel i jointly organised the competition to help create awareness among the citizens about elections and politics.

Some 500 higher secondary and graduate students from different colleges and universities in Rajshahi district took part in the competition.

The young participants exchanged their views in an open discussion for a corruption-free nation where people would be able to enjoy their rights.

They were however pessimistic about holding a free, fair and neutral election under a controversial Chief Election Commissioner.

They pledged for working to make people aware about elections and politics at their own villages to accelerate the movement for selecting honest and efficient candidates in the upcoming election.

Prof Muzaffer Ahmed said all citizens should play their due role in reforming political parties, caretaker government system and election commission and nominating the candidates.

"As citizens are the main sources of power they must be cautious in choosing their rulers," he added.

Dr Badiul Alam called upon the political parties to nominate honest and efficient persons and citizens to choose right persons.

In the open discussion Rajshahi Saririk College student Rezaul Karim said politicians seldom fulfil their pledges.

Rozina Khatun of Mohonpur Degree College urged Sujon to launch its movement from grassroots level.

Samia Nasrin of Barindra College complained that her family members were deprived of their voting rights in last general election as their votes were already cast.

Sumona Islam said the candidates who visited their home before the election were never seen in their areas after the election.