Shibir-set panel sweeps DUCSU polls

Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed coalition panel swept the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election with a record number of votes, in what is billed as an epoch change in its history.

Out of 28 posts in DUCSU, candidates from the 'Oikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote' panel secured 23 positions that include Vice President, General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary in the top slot.

For the first time in Dhaka University's history, the student front of Jamaat-e-Islami, made a comeback with a surprise landslide victory.

For the VP post, Shibir-backed candidate Md. Abu Shadik Kayem romped home with 14,042 votes. His nearest rival, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Abidul Islam Khan, received 5,708 votes.

Independent candidate Shamim Hossain came third with 3,883 votes, while Umama Fatema of the Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikya panel secured the fourth place with 3,389. Abdul Kader of the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad stood fifth with 1,103 votes.

For the GS post, Shibir-backed candidate SM Forhad won with 10,794 votes. His nearest rival, Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim of Chhatra Dal, the student front of the largest active political party-BNP--got 5,283 votes. Meghmallar Basu from the left-leaning Protirodh Prashad received 4,949 votes and stood third. Independent candidate Arafat Chowdhury secured the fourth position with 4,044 votes, while Abu Bakr Mojumdar of the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad came fifth with 2,131 votes in the race.

For the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) post, Shibir-backed candidate Md. Mohiuddin Khan won with 11,772 votes. His closest contestant, Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed of Chhatra Dal, received 5,064 votes. Independent candidate Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury came third with 3,008 votes. Protirodh Prashad's Jabir Ahmed Jubel stood fourth with 1,511 votes, and independent Mohiuddin Roni became fifth with 1,137 votes.

Out of 12 other posts, Shibir-backed candidates won 9. The remaining three were won by independent candidates. They are Sanzida Ahmed Tonny, Research and Publication, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, Literature and Culture, and Jubair Bin Neshari, Social Welfare.

For the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Fatema Tasnim Juma won with 10,631 votes. Chhatra Dal's Ariful Islam came second with 2,470 votes, while independent candidate Numan Ahmad Chowdhury got 1,776 votes and secured third place.

For Science and Technology Secretary, Shibir-backed candidate Iqbal Hayder won with 7,833 votes. Ahad Bin Islam Shoaib from the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad came second with 4,273 votes, while Mominul Islam of Independent Students' Unity got 3,200 votes and became third.

Shibir-set Umme Salma is declared elected Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary with 9,920 votes. Surmi Chakma secured second place with 4,482 votes, while Chhatra Dal's Chemon Faria Islam Meghla stood third with 2,702 votes.

Shibir-backed Jasim Uddin Khan becomes International Affairs Secretary with 9,706 votes in his bag. Mohammad Sakib of the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad came second with 3,922 votes, while Chhatra Dal's Mehedi Hasan came third with 3,231 votes.

Independent candidate Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad won the Literature and Culture Secretary post with 7,782 votes. Shibir-backed candidate Nurul Islam came second with 2,747 votes, while Protirodh Prashad's Faria Matin (Ila) got 2,147 votes and stood third.

Independent Sanzida Ahmed Tonny won the Research and Publication Secretary post with 11,778 votes. Several panels, including Chhatra Dal, extended support to her by not nominating any candidate for this post. Shibir-backed candidate Md. Sajjad Hossain Khan came second with 7,189 votes.

For the Sports Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Arman Hossain won with 7,255 votes. Md. Al Amin Sarkar from the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad came second with 3,831 votes, while Chhatra Dal's Chimchimya Chakma stood third with 3,788 votes. Independent candidate Jahin Ferdous Jami came fourth with 3,438 votes.

For the Student Transport Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Asif Abdullah won with 9,061 votes. Rafiz Khan of Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikya came second with 4,505 votes, while Chhatra Dal's Md. Saif Ullah became third with 3,312 votes.

Independent candidate Jubair Bin Neshari (AB Jubair) clinched the Social Welfare Secretary post with 7,608 votes. Chhatra Dal's Syed Imam Hasan Onik came second with 3,903 votes, while Shibir-backed candidate Shariful Islam came third with 2,556 votes. Mahir Alam from the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad Union stood fourth with 2,099 votes.

Shibir-backed candidate Majharul Islam becomes Career Development Secretary with 9,344 votes. Rupaiya Shrestha Tonchongya secured second place with 4,123 votes, while Chhatra Dal's Md. Arkanul Islam came third with 3,615 votes.

For the Health and Environment Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate MM Al Minhaj won with 7,038 votes. Shahriar Mohammad Yamin, a rebel candidate, came second with 2,965 votes, while another candidate from the same panel, Sabbir Ahmed, got 2,949 votes and came third.

For the Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Md. Jakaria won with 11,747 votes. Anika Tahsina of the Boishamya Birodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad came second with 3,427 votes, while Nusrat Jahan Nisu of Independent Students' Unity came third with 3,365 votes.

Out of 13 member posts, candidates from the Shibir-backed Oikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote won 11. They are Sabikun Nahar Tamanna (10,084 votes), Sar Mitra Chakma (8,988 votes), Imran Hossain (6,256 votes), Afsana Akter (5,747 votes), Tajinur Rahman (5,690 votes), Raihan Uddin (5,082 votes), Md. Miftahul Hossain Al-Maruf (5,015 votes), Anas Ibne Munir (5,015 votes), Md. Belal Hossain Apu (4,865 votes), Md. Raisul Islam (4,535 votes), and Md. Shahinur Rahman (4,390 votes). From the left-leaning Protirodh Prashad , Hema Chakma won a member post with 4,908 votes, while independent candidate Umma Uswatun Rafia won with 4,209 votes.

In the 18 hall-union elections, most positions in 13 halls were clinched by independents. In particular, most top positions in male halls went to them. However, many of these independents were reportedly supported by Shibir. In female halls, candidates backed by Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad won most of the top posts.

The newly elected VP and the GS pledge unity, as grievances run high among the hopefuls in the race-hot on the heels of regime change in Bangladesh through the 2024 July-August uprising.

Vice President-elect Abu Shadik Kayem said the elected DUCSU leadership would work with all students regardless of ideology or background. He promises to build an "excellent academic environment" at Dhaka University.

Speaking at a press conference at the Senate Building after the results were declared on Wednesday morning after prolonged overnight counting, Kayem said, "I do not want to be introduced only as DUCSU VP. I want to be known as a brother, a friend, and a fellow student who will stand by everyone. We will work together to make the university a multicultural institute with a safe campus for all students."

The GS-elect, SM Forhad, said the victory belongs to all students, not to any single leader or group. "We will not celebrate with rallies or processions. Instead, we see this as a responsibility and a test," he added.

Some candidates boycotted the election over allegations of irregularities.

Several candidates, including Chhatra Dal's VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan, Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikya panel's VP candidate Umama Fatema , and some left-wing alliances, announced a boycott of the election on Wednesday night, alleging irregularities.

Chhatra Dal's VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan wrote on Facebook: "This planned rigged result was predictable after noon. We reject this farce."

Independent candidate Umama Fatema also announced a boycott on Facebook, calling it a "shameful election fraud" and accusing the DU administration of siding with Shibir.

Candidates from the Oporajeyo 71 and Odommo 24 panels also staged protests at night, demanding fresh elections.

Despite allegations, several defeated candidates accepted the results and congratulated the winners. They also pledged to work for students' welfare by carrying forward their election manifestos.

In a Facebook post, Abidul Islam Khan wrote: "Since noon I have been noticing one problem after another in different polling centers and I spoke about these issues throughout the day. I still hope the administration will conduct a proper investigation and take appropriate decisions.

As human beings, none of us are perfect. I know I could not do enough for you. But I want to assure you, my journey does not end here, it will go much further. I promise that whatever I pledged in my election manifesto, I will continue to fight for those demands as a student leader and make the administration respond. The new beginning of student politics at Dhaka University will come through our hands."

Tanvir Bari Hamim, the General Secretary candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel, wrote: "In my personal life I have lost many times, but in politics this is my first defeat. Yet this defeat was not to fate alone, but also to the circumstances and the times. I know the prayers of people across the country cannot go unanswered."

Al Sadi Bhuiyan, the General Secretary candidate from Umama Fatema's panel, wrote: "Congratulations to the winners of DUCSU, and congratulations also to the students of Dhaka University-because they now have a platform to speak for themselves. This DUCSU election is the outcome of their long-held aspirations. We fought to make this election happen, and now it has happened, Alhamdulillah. We believe no individual or group has won here-this victory belongs to the students."

Abu Baker Mojumder, the General Secretary candidate from the Boishamma Birodhi Shikkarti Sangsad, said in his Facebook post, "Heartfelt congratulations to all those elected by the students of Dhaka University as their representatives in DUCSU and the hall unions. Although the election was festive, there were allegations of irregularities in some places. Still, I have no objection to accepting defeat as part of democratic practice.

Every step I have taken in this university has been a learning experience. Even in the hardest of times, I risked everything for the students of this campus. My dream as a student was to see the fall of Sheikh Hasina-and that has come true. As long as I remain on this campus, I will continue to stand with you."

The Vice President candidate from the Samanwita Shikkarti sangsad panel wrote, "Congratulations to the winners. May Allah grant you the ability to work with justice. I leave my four unfinished tasks in your hands."

Bin Yamin Molla, the Vice President candidate from the Students' Rights Council, wrote, "The beauty of democracy. Congratulations to all who won DUCSU and hall union 2025, beyond all complaints and disputes. May the spirit of democracy prevail.

Those who contested the VP position are all people I respect, some I look up to, some I deeply care for. Best wishes to all of them. And to everyone who participated in the central and hall elections, regardless of the outcome, you are all winners in my eyes. With both agreements and differences, we will all continue to work for the students. My best wishes for everyone in the days to come."

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