Dhaka: Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidates have successfully secured the majority of posts, including key positions such as Vice President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS), in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections. Abu Shadik Kayem, currently serving as the central publication secretary of Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam, achieved a significant victory by winning the Vice President position with 14,042 votes. His closest competitor, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed candidate Abidul Islam Khan, garnered 5,708 votes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the results were officially declared by Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin at the Dhaka University's senate building around 8:30 am. The Shibir-backed panel achieved an overwhelming victory by winning 23 out of the 28 DUCSU posts. In the race for General Secretary, DU Shibir President SM Farhad emerged victorious with 10,794 votes, defeating JCD's Tanvir Bari Hamim, who secured 5,283 votes. The Resistance Council candidate Meghmallar Basu was a close contender with 4,949 votes.
Mohammad Mohiuddin Khan, General Secretary of DU unit Shibir, claimed the Assistant General Secretary position with 11,772 votes. His competitors included JCD candidate Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed, who received 5,064 votes, and Bangladesh Democratic Student's Alliance panel's Ashrefa Khatun, who garnered 900 votes. The voting process, which took place at the university's Senate Bhaban, began early in the morning and followed a day-long election conducted on Tuesday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm across eight polling centers.
The election witnessed a high turnout, with over 77 percent of registered students casting their votes at various centers outside the residential halls. Notably, Rokeya Hall recorded over 1,400 votes for Shadik, while Jagannath Hall saw a lead for Abidul with 1,276 votes. Despite some allegations, the polling was largely peaceful. However, one polling officer was relieved of duty mid-day, and a journalist tragically lost their life while on assignment during the election.
Observers and candidates applauded the large turnout. Independent candidate Umama Fatema had earlier expressed hopes for a "free and fair election," whereas JCD's Abidul Islam had warned against any potential manipulation attempts. The overwhelming victory of Shibir-backed candidates has been termed a "historic moment" on campus, as the organization regains DUCSU leadership after more than five decades.
In the other posts, Shibir-backed Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma received 10,631 votes, with her closest competitor securing 2,470 votes. Md. Iqbal Haider won the Science and Technology Secretary post with 7,833 votes, while Umme Salma became the Common Room, Canteen, and Cafeteria Secretary with 9,920 votes. Jasim Uddin Khan (Khan Jasim) was elected as the International Affairs Secretary with 9,706 votes. Independent candidate Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad became the Literary and Cultural Secretary with 7,782 votes.
For the Research and Publication Secretary post, independent candidate Sanzida Ahmed Tanni obtained 11,778 votes, and Arman Hossain was elected Sports Secretary with 7,255 votes. Md. Asif Abdullah triumphed as the Student Transport Secretary with 9,061 votes. Independent candidate Md. Zubair Bin Nesari (AB Zubair) was elected Social Service Secretary with 7,608 votes, Md. Majharul Islam became Career Development Secretary with 9,344 votes, and M. M. Al Tanmoy (Abdullah Al Tanmoy) secured the Health and Environment Secretary position with 7,038 votes. Md. Jakaria (Sakhawat Jakaria) clinched the Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary post, obtaining 11,747 votes.
Among the executive members, Sabekunnahar Tamanna received the highest number of votes, with 10,084 ballots, followed by Sarba Mitra Chakma with 8,988 votes, Imaran Hossain with 6,256 votes, Afsana Akter with 5,747 votes, and Tajinur Rahman with 5,690 votes. Other elected members included Raihan Uddin with 5,082 votes, Anas Ibne Munir and Miftahul Hossain Al Maruf, each with 5,015 votes, Hema Chakma with 4,908 votes, and Belal Hossen Opu with 4,865 votes.