In a historic turn of events, the long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections were held on Tuesday, delivering a landslide victory to Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat Islami. 

The result marks the first time an Islamist-affiliated student body has won the DUCSU polls, surprising the nation.

The overdue elections are seen as crucial ahead of the national election expected in early February next year. 

Campaigning was intense, with allegations and counter-allegations flying between Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 

Many had widely predicted a JCD victory, given its affiliation with one of the country’s largest political parties, BNP, founded by late President Ziaur Rahman.

But JCD leaders accused Dhaka University authorities of favouring the Chhatra Shibir-backed panel.

Political analysts suggest that the outcome of these polls may influence upcoming student union elections at Chittagong University (CUCSU), Rajshahi University (RUCSU), and Jahangirnagar University (JUCSU).

A Historic Win

For the first time in DUCSU’s history, the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Oikyoboddho Shikkharthi Jote (United Students’ Alliance) won a record number of posts. 

Out of a total of 28 positions, the alliance secured 23. In contrast, the panels of Chhatra Dal and Ganatantrik Chhatrasangsad failed to secure a single post.

• Vice President: Shibir-backed Shadik Kayem triumphed with 14,042 votes, while his nearest rival, Chhatra Dal’s Abidul Islam Khan, received 5,708 votes.

• General Secretary: Shibir candidate S. M. Farhad won with 10,794 votes. His closest rival, Tanvir Bari Hamim of Chhatra Dal, received 5,283 votes; Abu Bakar Majumdar of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” got 2,131 votes; Meghmallar Basu of the Left Alliance-backed “Protirodh Parishad” secured 4,949 votes; and independent candidate Arafat Chowdhury received 4,044 votes.

• Assistant General Secretary: Shibir-backed Md. Mohiuddin Khan won with 11,772 votes. Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed of Chhatra Dal came second with 5,064 votes; Ashrefa Khatun of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” got 900 votes; independent Tahmid Al Mudassir bagged 3,008 votes; and Jabir Ahmed Jubel of “Protirodh Parishad” received 1,511 votes.

• Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary: Fatema Tasnim Jhuma, backed by Shibir, won with 10,631 votes. Ariful Islam of Chhatra Dal received 2,470 votes, Numan Ahmed Chowdhury of “Independent Students’ Unity” 1,776 votes, Mojammel Haque of “Protirodh Porshad” 1,336 votes, and B. M. Fahmida Alam of “Aparajeyo 71 Odommo 24” 1,057 votes.

• Social Services Secretary: Independent candidate A. B. Zubair was elected with 7,608 votes. Mohir Alam of “Boishommobirodhi Shikkharthi Sangsad” received 2,099 votes, and Syed Imam Hasan Anik from Chhatra Dal garnered 3,903 votes.

Political Reactions

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed congratulated the winners, emphasising that the elections, though delayed, reflected democratic norms. 

Addressing the 47th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, he said, “To my knowledge, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir did not contest this DUCSU election under its name or banner. Then why is it being reported this way in newspapers and media?”

He said Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal contested under its own banner.

Meanwhile, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna attributed the Chhatra Shibir victory to students’ strong opposition to extortion, grabbing and dominance, coupled with a desire for new politics. 

Speaking at a discussion, he said that the DUCSU polls do not necessarily reflect national voting trends and are unlikely to influence national politics.