In a historic comeback, candidates backed by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir have secured a sweeping victory in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, winning 23 out of 28 posts, including the top three positions—Vice President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS).
Abu Shadik Kayem, currently central publication secretary of Shibir, won the VP post with 14,042 votes, far ahead of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed Abidul Islam Khan, who polled 5,708 votes. Independent VP candidates Shamim Hossain and Umama Fatema received 3,883 and 3,389 votes, respectively.
DU Shibir President SM Farhad clinched the GS post with 10,794 votes, defeating JCD’s Tanvir Bari Hamim (5,283) and Resistance Council candidate Meghmallar Basu (4,949). For AGS, DU Shibir General Secretary Mohammad Mohiuddin Khan won with 11,772 votes, followed by JCD’s Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed (5,064) and Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Alliance’s Ashrefa Khatun (900).
Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin officially announced the results at the university’s Senate Bhaban around 8:30 am Wednesday, following a day-long election held Tuesday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm across eight polling centres. Voter turnout stood at over 77 percent, with most ballots cast outside residential halls. Rokeya Hall saw over 1,400 votes for Shadik, while Abidul led at Jagannath Hall with 1,276 votes.
Despite sporadic allegations, polling was largely peaceful, though one polling officer was removed from duty mid-day and a journalist tragically died while on assignment. Observers and candidates praised the high turnout, calling the outcome a “historic moment” as Shibir regained DUCSU leadership after more than fifty years.
Other notable winners from the Shibir-backed panel include Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma (10,631 votes), Science and Technology Secretary Md. Iqbal Haider (7,833), Common Room, Canteen and Cafeteria Secretary Umme Salma (9,920), and International Affairs Secretary Jasim Uddin Khan (9,706). Independent candidates also made their mark: Sanzida Ahmed Tanni won Research and Publication Secretary with 11,778 votes, and Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad became Literary and Cultural Secretary with 7,782 votes.
Md. Asif Abdullah was elected Student Transport Secretary (9,061), Md. Zubair Bin Nesari became Social Service Secretary (7,608), Md. Majharul Islam won Career Development Secretary (9,344), M. M. Al Tanmoy took Health and Environment Secretary (7,038), and Md. Jakaria secured Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary with 11,747 votes.
Among executive members, Sabekunnahar Tamanna led with 10,084 votes, followed by Sarba Mitra Chakma (8,988), Imaran Hossain (6,256), Afsana Akter (5,747), Tajinur Rahman (5,690), Raihan Uddin (5,082), Anas Ibne Munir (5,015), Miftahul Hossain Al Maruf (5,015), Hema Chakma (4,908), and Belal Hossen Opu (4,865).
