Shibir Sweeps DUCSU, Iqbal Wins Science and Tech Post
Following the July uprising, Islami Chhatra Shibir achieved a remarkable victory in Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. Out of twelve editorial posts, candidates supported by the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel won nine, including the pivotal Science and Technology Secretary position, secured by Iqbal Haider.
Running under the United Students’ Alliance panel, Iqbal Haider, a resident of Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall, garnered 7,833 votes. Second place in the Science and Technology Secretary race went to Ahad Bin Islam Shoaib of the Anti-Discrimination Student Council with 4,273 votes, while independent candidate Mominul Islam of the Unity panel came third with 3,200 votes. Hailing from Dinajpur and a student of the Department of Chemical and Materials Science, Iqbal’s campaign promised to ensure high-speed Wi-Fi internet and a fully equipped computer lab on campus.
For the Career Development Secretary post, Shibir-backed candidate Mazharul Islam, a resident of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall studying Islamic Studies, won with 9,344 votes. Second place went to independent candidate Rupaiya Shrestha Tonchongya with 4,123 votes, and third place to Muhammad Arkanul Islam of the Chhatra Dal with 3,615 votes.
Sanjida Ahmed Tanvi of Rokeya Hall, studying Clinical and Psychological Sciences, secured the Research and Publications Secretary position with 11,778 votes. Her main competitor, Shibir’s Md. Sajjad Hossain Khan, received 7,189 votes.
Umme Salma, from the Shibir-backed panel, won the hotly contested Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary post with 9,920 votes. Independent candidate Surmi Chakma of the Unity panel came second with 4,482 votes, and Chemon Faria Islam Meghla of Chhatra Dal secured third with 2,702 votes.
In the top executive posts, Shibir-supported United Students’ Alliance candidates Abu Sadiq Kayem, S.M. Farhad, and Muha. Mohiuddin Khan were elected as Vice President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS) respectively, winning by significant margins against rival candidates from the Nationalist Students’ Party.
Following the announcement of results at a press conference at Dhaka University’s Senate Building, newly elected DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem stated: “There is no victory or defeat in DUCSU elections. Through these elections, the July generation has won. Through DUCSU, the students of Dhaka University have emerged victorious. Through DUCSU, the aspirations of July have triumphed, and the martyrs have triumphed.”
He added, “I do not want to be known to Dhaka University students merely as DUCSU VP. I want to be recognized as a brother to the campus sisters, as a younger brother to the junior students, as the affectionate younger brother to the seniors, as a friend’s friend, and as a student to the teachers.”
The newly elected VP further said, “We will work on all issues including housing and research. The students’ aspirations are our aspirations. Our struggle will continue until the campus of our dreams is realized.”
On September 9, after peaceful voting, ballots were counted using 14 machines for six-page OMR sheets. Some machines processed 5,000 pages per hour, others 8,000. Present journalists and candidate agents verified the accuracy before full-scale counting began. The official announcement of results followed on the morning of September 10 at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, overseen by DUCSU Chief Returning Officer Professor Jasim Uddin.
