2025 Dhaka University Central Students' Union elections

2025 DUCSU election

9 September 2025 (2025-09-09)
Registered39,775[1]
Turnout73.42%
Vice-President election
 
Candidate Shadik Kayem Abidul Islam Khan Shameem Hossain
Party BICS BJCD Independent
Alliance USA PBSU
Popular vote 14,042 5,708 3,883
Percentage 47.99% 19.51% 13.27%

 
Candidate Umama Fatema Abdul Kader
Party Independent JCS
Alliance ISU ASC
Popular vote 3,389 1,103
Percentage 11.58% 3.77%

Vice-President before election

Nurul Haq Nur
BCOP

Vice-President

Shadik Kayem
BICS

Elections in Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) in Dhaka University were held on 9 September 2025, which is the first major electoral decision marking student politics in Bangladesh after the July Revolution which ousted Sheikh Hasina and her party, the Awami League from power in 2024.[2][3] Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir-led United Students' Alliance won a landslide victory in the election, with Shadik Kayem of Shibir won as vice-president (VP), SM Forhad of Shibir as general secretary (GS) and Mohiuddin Khan of Shibir as assistant general secretary (AGS).[4]

History

The July Revolution ousted Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, resulting in the end of the 15-year-long domination of Bangladesh Chhatra League in Dhaka University. This resulted a push from various student organizations for reforms and further elections in DUCSU, which is often known as the second parliament of Bangladesh.[5][6]

The previous DUCSU election, held on 11 March 2019, elected Nurul Haq Nur of Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, Golam Rabbani, and Saddam Hussain of BCL as the vice-president, the general secretary, and the additional general secretary of DUCSU, respectively. The 25-member central committee of DUCSU was heavily dominated by BCL affiliated representatives.[7] After which, DUCSU elections were not held for the past few years.[8]

On 8 August 2025, hundreds of students under the banner of 'general students' came out of the halls of DU protesting against the declaration of hall committees by the Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal. The protesters demanded prohibitions on hall-based politics on the campus, which the university authorities reportedly agreed. Student organizations expressed mixed views over the incident, with some claiming this as an attempt to establish "prohibition on hall politics" as a "populist demand" ahead of the polls.[9] Later in a meeting with the vice-chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan, most of the student organizations, except Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad and Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, supported continuing hall-based politics.[10]

On the first day of the nomination papers collection, a student named Zulias Cizar Talukder secured a paper for VP candidacy, which sparked controversy as he previously served as general secretary of Salimullah Muslim Hall from the Chhatra League panel in the 2019 election.[11][12] Later, he was removed from the voter list at the request of Salimullah Hall authorities, citing "allegations of student harassment" during the Awami League regime.[13]

Poll Event Schedule
Declaration of the schedule 29 July 2025
Publication of drafted voter list 30 July 2025
Last date for descent over the drafted voter list 6 August 2025
Publication of final voter list 11 August 2025
Deadline for nomination papers distribution 12–18 August 2025
Last date for the nomination papers submission 19 August 2025
Scrutiny of nomination 20 August 2025
Publication of primary candidacy list 21 August 2025
Last date for withdrawal of nomination 25 August 2025
Publication of final candidacy list 26 August 2025
Date of poll 9 September 2025
Date of counting of votes 9–10 September 2025

Candidates

Panels of competing student organization in the election
Alliance Vice President Organization(s)
General Secretary
Assistant General Secretary
United Students' Alliance[14][15] Shadik Kayem Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir
SM Farhad
Mohiuddin Khan
Anti-discrimination Students' Council[16] Abdul Kader Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad
Abu Baker Mazumder
Ashrefa Khatun
Pro-Bangladesh Students' Unity[17] Md Abidul Islam Khan Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal
Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim
Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed
Independent Students' Unity[18] Umama Fatema Independent
Al Sadi Bhuiyan
Jahid Ahmed
Pratirodh Parshad[15] Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Emi
Meghmallar Basu Bangladesh Students' Union
Md. Jabir Ahmed Jubel Revolutionary Students Unity of Bangladesh
DUCSU For Change[15] Bin Yamin Molla Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad
Sabina Yasmin
Rakibul Islam
Conscious Students' Council[14][15] Yasin Arafat Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh
Khairul Ahsan Marzan
Saif Mohammad Alauddin
Integrated Student's Council[15][19] Jalaluddin Muhammad Khalid Swadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad
Md. Mahin Sarkar[a] National Citizen Party (expelled)
Fateha Sharmin Anny Laxmipur District Students Welfare Society
Unvanquished 71–Impressible 24[22] Md. Naim Hasan Jasad Chhatra League
Anamul Hasan Oyon Bangladesh Students' Union
Aditi Islam Socialist Students' Front

Others

In addition, Sanjida Ahmed Tonni, who was injured in the 2024 mass uprising, took nomination for the post of Research and Publication Secretary. In support of her, the Chatradal-led panel, "Pratirodh Parshad" and "Unvanquished 71–Impressible 24" did not fill any candidate for the post and endorsed her.[23][22]

Results

Central committee

PartySeats+/–
Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir1616
Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha22
Inquilab Mancha1New
UP Bangladesh1New
Pahari Chhatra Parishad11
Independent[b]77
Total28
Elected Central Committee 2025–2026[24][25]
Elected Candidate Designation Organization Panel Votes
Shadik Kayem Vice-president Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 14,042
SM Farhad Hossain General Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 10,794
Muhammad Mohiuddin Khan Assistant General Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 11,772
Fatema Tasnim Juma Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Inquilab Mancha United Students Alliance 10,631
Umme Salma Common Room, Reading Room and Cafeteria Secretary Independent United Students Alliance 9,920
Jashimuddin Khan International Affairs Secretary Independent United Students Alliance 9,706
Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad Literature and Culture Secretary Independent Unaffiliated 7,782
Md Iqbal Haider Science and Technology Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 7,833
Sanjida Ahmed Tonni Research and Publications Secretary Independent Unaffiliated 11,778
Arman Hossain Sports Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 7,255
Asif Abdullah Student Transport Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 9,061
Zubair Bin Nesary Social Welfare Secretary Independent Unaffiliated 7,608
MM Al Minhaz Health and Environment Secretary UP Bangladesh United Students Alliance 7,038
Md Jakaria Human Rights and Legal Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 11,747
Md Mazharul Islam Career Development Secretary Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 9,344
Sabikunnahar Tamanna Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha United Students Alliance 10,084
Sorbo Mitra Chakma Executive Member Independent United Students Alliance 8,988
Imran Hossain Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 6,256
Mosammat Afsana Akter Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha United Students Alliance 5,747
Tazinur Rahman Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 5,690
Raihan Uddin Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 5,082
Md Miftahul Hossain Al Maruf Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 5,015
Anas Ibn Munir Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 5,015
Hema Chakma Executive Member Pahari Chhatra Parishad Pratirodh Parshad 4,908
Md Belal Hossain Apu Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 4,865
Md Raisul Islam Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 4,865
Md Shahinur Rahman Executive Member Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir United Students Alliance 4,390
Umma Uswatun Rafia Executive Member Independent[c] Unaffiliated 4,209

Vice-President election

CandidatePartyVotes%
Shadik Kayem[26]Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir14,04247.99
Md Abidul Islam KhanBangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal5,70819.51
Shameem HossainIndependent3,88313.27
Umama FatemaIndependent3,38911.58
Abdul KaderBangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad1,1033.77
Md. Jamal Uddin KhalidSwadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad5031.72
Bin Yamin MollaBangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad1360.46
Sheikh Tasnim Afroze EmiIndependent (PP)680.23
Yasin ArafatIslami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh620.21
Others3651.25
Total29,259100.00
Source: Dhaka University Syndicate[27]
Vice-President election
Shadik
47.99%
Abidul
19.51%
Shameem
13.27%
Umama
11.58%
Kader
3.77%
Khalid
1.72%
Bin Yamin
0.46%
Emi
0.23%
Yasin
0.21%
Others
1.25%

General Secretary election

CandidatePartyVotes%
S M Farhad[26]Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir10,79437.64
Sheikh Tanvir Bari HamimBangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal5,28318.42
Meghmallar BasuBangladesh Students' Union4,94917.26
Arafat ChowdhuryIndependent4,04414.10
Abu Baker MazumderBangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad2,1317.43
Md. Ashikur RahmanIndependent5261.83
Al Sadi BhuiyanIndependent2710.95
Md. Khairul Ahsan MarzanIslami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh1630.57
Sabina YasminBangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad1480.52
Others3681.28
Total28,677100.00
Source: Dhaka University Syndicate[27]
General Secretary election
Forhad
37.64%
Hamim
18.42%
Meghmallar
17.26%
Arafat
14.10%
Abu Baker
7.43%
Ashikur
1.83%
Sadi
0.95%
Marzan
0.57%
Sabina
0.52%
Others
1.28%

Assistant General Secretary election

CandidatePartyVotes%
Mohiuddin Khan[26]Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir11,77241.64
Tanvir Al Hadi MayedBangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal5,06417.91
Tahmid Al MuddassirIndependent3,00610.63
Md. Jabir Ahmed JubelRevolutionary Students Unity of Bangladesh1,5115.34
Mohiuddin RonyIndependent1,1374.02
Ashrefa KhatunBangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad9003.18
Md. Ashikur Rahman JimIndependent7962.82
Fateha Sharmin AnnyLaxmipur District Students Welfare Society5011.77
Hasib Al-IslamIndependent5001.77
Sanjana Afifa AditiIndependent3731.32
Aditi IslamSocialist Students' Front3671.30
Farhad HossainIndependent3661.29
Rakibul IslamBangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad2770.98
Mahiuddin AbidIndependent2530.89
Zahed AhmadIndependent2420.86
Akash Biswas EmuIndependent2220.79
Syed Md. Samir FaiyazIndependent2110.75
Armanul HaqIndependent1860.66
Ala UddinIslami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh1360.48
Ahnaf Hossain Chowdhury AdilIndependent830.29
Others3671.30
Total28,270100.00
Source: Dhaka University Syndicate[27]
Assistant General Secretary election
Mohiuddin
41.64%
Mayed
17.91%
Tahmid
10.63%
Jubel
5.34%
Rony
4.02%
Ashrefa
3.18%
Jim
2.82%
Anny
1.77%
Hasib
1.77%
Aditi
1.32%
Aditi
1.30%
Farhad
1.29%
Rakibul
0.98%
Abid
0.89%
Zahed
0.86%
Emu
0.79%
Faiyaz
0.75%
Armanul
0.66%
Alauddin
0.48%
Adil
0.29%
Others
1.30%

By polling station

Polling Station Student Hall Candidate Post Votes Percentage
Curzon Hall Amar Ekushey Hall Abu Sadiq Kayem DUCSU VP 644 62.95%
Abidul Islam DUCSU VP 141 13.78%
Umama Fatima DUCSU VP 90 8.80%
Shamim Hossain DUCSU VP 111 10.85%
Abdul Quader DUCSU VP 36 3.52%
Bin Yamin Molla DUCSU VP 1 0.10%
Farhad Hossain GS 466 56.39%
Megh Mallar Basu GS 86 10.40%
Abu Baker Majumder GS 147 17.79%
Tanvir Bari Hamim GS 180 21.78%
Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Abu Sadiq Kayem DUCSU VP 841 65.02%
Abidul Islam DUCSU VP 181 13.99%
Umama Fatima DUCSU VP 153 11.83%
Shamim Hossain DUCSU VP 141 10.90%
Abdul Quader DUCSU VP 47 3.63%
Bin Yamin Molla DUCSU VP 6 0.46%
Farhad Hossain GS 589 47.11%
Megh Mallar Basu GS 99 7.92%
Abu Baker Majumder GS 341 27.28%
Tanvir Bari Hamim GS 228 18.25%
Shahidullah Hall Abu Sadiq Kayem DUCSU VP 966 66.88%
Abidul Islam DUCSU VP 199 13.78%
Umama Fatima DUCSU VP 140 9.70%
Shamim Hossain DUCSU VP 161 11.14%
Abdul Quader DUCSU VP 56 3.88%
Bin Yamin Molla DUCSU VP 6 0.42%
Farhad Hossain GS 773 58.55%
Megh Mallar Basu GS 125 9.47%
Abu Baker Majumder GS 241 18.26%
Tanvir Bari Hamim GS 249 18.85%
TSC Ruqayyah Hall Abu Sadiq Kayem DUCSU VP 1,472
Shamim Hossain 684
Umama Fatema 614
Abidul Islam 575
SM Farhad GS 1,120
Arafat Chowdhury 664
Megh Mallar Bosu 780
Tanvir Bari Hamim 447
Abu Baker Mojumdar 241
Shamsunnahar Hall
University Laboratory School Shamsunnahar Hall Abu Sadiq Kayem DUCSU VP 1,114
Abidul Islam 434
Umama Fatema 403
Shamim Hossain 412
Abdul Kader 59
Bin Yamin Molla 4
SM Farhad GS 814
Meghmallar Bosu 517
Abu Baker Majumdar 132
Tanvir Bari Hamim 312
Physical Education Centre Jagannath Hall Abidul Islam Khan DUCSU VP 1,276
Abu Sadiq Kayem 10
Umama Fatema 278
Abdul Kader 21
Bin Yamin Molla 5
Shamim Hossain 171
Tasnim Afroze Emi 11
Meghmallar Bosu GS 1,170
SM Farhad 5
Tanvir Bari Hamim 398
Arafat Chowdhury 169
Abu Baker Mojumdar 27
Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall
Salimullah Muslim Hall
Geology Department Begum Sufia Kamal Hall Abu Sadiq Kayem DUCSU VP 1270
Abidul Islam 423
Umama Fatima 547
Shamim Hossain 485
Abdul Quader 55
Bin Yamin Molla 0
SM Forhad GS 964
Meghmallar Bosu 507
Arafat Chowdhury 498
Tanvir Bari Hamim 402
Abu Bakar Mojumdar 216
ULAB School/Senate Building Sir A.F. Rahman Hall Abu Sadik Kayem DUCSU VP 602
Abidul Islam 186
Umama Fatema 79
Abdul Kader 91
Shamim Hossain 122
SM Farhad GS 588
Meghmallar Bosu 157
Abu Baker Mojumdar 54
Tanvir Bari Hamim 245
Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall
Bijoy Ekattor Hall
Udayan School Kabi Jasimuddin Hall Abu Sadik Kayem DUCSU VP 647
Abidul Islam 187
Umama Fatema 62
Abdul Kader 55
Shamim Hossain 94
Bin Yamin Molla 4
SM Farhad GS 540
Tanvir Bari Hamim 255
Megh Mallar Bosu 81
Abu Baker Majumdar 67
Surja Sen Hall
Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall Abu Sadik Kayem DUCSU VP 674
Abidul Islam 248
Umama Fatema 151
Shamim Hossain 131
Abdul Kader 70
SM Farhad GS 544
Tanvir Bari Hamim 334
Meghmallar Bosu 176
Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall
Source:[28][29][30]

Turnout

Location Turnout (%)
Curzon Hall 87.34%
Physical Education Centre 83.3%
TSC 69%
Dhaka University Club 70%
Udayan School 83%
Geology Department 66.48%
University Laboratory School 65.25%
ULAB School/Senate Building 63%
Average 73.42%
Source: The Business Standard[31]

Reactions

Following the victory of Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel in the major three posts, the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan posted on their Facebook page congratulating the organisation.[32] However, the post was later deleted.[33]

The Chairman of the Indian Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, expressed his concerns over Chhatra Shibir's victory on Twitter.[34] Bangladesh Students' Union backed General Secretary candidate, Meghmallar Basu, criticized his remarks claiming it to be "fueling the far-right in Bangladesh", accusing him of unintentionally serving as a public relations agent for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.[35]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Sarkar dropped out and endorsed Abu Baker Mazumder of the 'Anti-discrimination Students' Council' panel.[20][21]
  2. ^ 3 independent members are affiliated with the USA
  3. ^ Organizational member of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), but ran as an independent candidate

References

  1. ^ "Final DUCSU voter list published, 157 names dropped". The Daily Observer (Bangladesh). 12 August 2025.
  2. ^ Hasan, Tanvir (14 August 2025). "Uncertainty surrounds JCD ahead of Ducsu election". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  3. ^ "DUCSU election will usher student unity". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 5 February 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  4. ^ "ডাকসু নির্বাচনে ঐক্যবদ্ধ শিক্ষার্থী জোটের বিশাল জয়: ভিপি সাদিক, জিএস ফরহাদ, এজিএস মহিউদ্দিন | শিরোনাম".
  5. ^ "DUCSU election is desirable but subservient party politics must end". The New Nation. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  6. ^ সম্পাদকীয়: ডাকসুর তফসিল. Prothom Alo (Opinion) (in Bengali). 13 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  7. ^ নুর ভিপি, রাব্বানী জিএস, সাদ্দাম এজিএস. The Daily Star. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Why have Ducsu elections stopped again?". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  9. ^ Hasnat, Rakib (9 August 2025). ডাকসু নির্বাচনের আগে আবাসিক হলে 'প্রকাশ্য ও গুপ্ত' রাজনীতি নিষিদ্ধের ঘোষণা নিয়ে প্রশ্ন. BBC Bangla.
  10. ^ "Most student bodies support hall-based politics at DU". The Financial Express (Bangladesh). 12 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Ducsu election: Ex-BCL leader collects nomination for VP post, faces backlash". The Business Standard. 13 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Chhatra League's Cizar VP candidate in Ducsu polls". Dhaka Tribune. 12 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Ex-BCL leader exiled from DUCSU election". The Daily Observer (Bangladesh). 12 August 2025.
  14. ^ a b Hasan, Mahadi (19 August 2025). ডাকসুতে ৮ প্যানেলের লড়াই. Daily Jugantor.
  15. ^ a b c d e Aminul Islam, Majumder (19 August 2025). ছাত্রদল ও বাগছাসের প্যানেল ঘোষণা হতে পারে আজ, শিবিরের প্রার্থী সাদিক. Daily Ittefaq.
  16. ^ ডাকসু নির্বাচন: কাদের-বাকেরের নেতৃত্বে 'বৈষম্যবিরোধী শিক্ষার্থী সংসদ' প্যানেল. Prothom Alo. 20 August 2025.
  17. ^ "DUCSU Election: JCD declares panel led by Abid-Hamim". Prothom Alo. 20 August 2025.
  18. ^ উমামা ফাতেমার নেতৃত্বে লড়বে 'স্বতন্ত্র শিক্ষার্থী ঐক্য', পূর্ণাঙ্গ প্যানেল ঘোষণা. Ajker Patrika. 21 August 2025.
  19. ^ "জমে উঠছে ডাকসু নির্বাচন, ১০ প্যানেলে ৪ শতাধিক প্রার্থী". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  20. ^ "বাকেরকে সমর্থন দিয়ে জিএস পদ থেকে সরে দাঁড়ালেন মাহিন সরকার". Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  21. ^ "ডাকসু নির্বাচন থেকে সরে দাঁড়ালেন মাহিন সরকার". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  22. ^ a b ডাকসু নির্বাচনে বামপন্থী তিন ছাত্রসংগঠনের যৌথ প্যানেল ঘোষণা. Prothom Alo. 20 August 2025.
  23. ^ সেই আহত সানজিদার সম্মানে ওই পদে প্রার্থী দেয়নি ছাত্রদল. Prothom Alo. 20 August 2025.
  24. ^ Report, Star Online (10 September 2025). "Ducsu election results: Winners declared for all 28 posts". The Daily Star. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  25. ^ Correspondent, Staff (10 September 2025). "Who are the winners in all 28 DUCSU posts". Prothomalo. Retrieved 16 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ^ a b c "Wayback Machine" (PDF). ducsu.du.ac.bd. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  27. ^ a b c ডাকসু ও হল সংসদ নির্বাচন ২০২৫ চূড়ান্ত ফলাফল (in Bengali). Dhaka University.
  28. ^ "In DUCSU GS race, some got 6 votes, some 9". Prothom Alo English. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  29. ^ "বিবিসি বাংলা লাইভ: ডাকসু নির্বাচনে ভিপি, জিএস ও এজিএস পদে শিবির সমর্থিত প্যানেলের প্রার্থীদের বড় জয়". BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). 10 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  30. ^ "ডাকসু নির্বাচন ২০২৫ - Sarabangla". Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  31. ^ "Ducsu polls: Curzon Hall sees highest voter turnout at 84.7%, ULAB School centre lowest at 63%". The Business Standard. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  32. ^ "Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan hails Shibir's historic win in DUCSU elections". bdnews24.com. 10 September 2025.
  33. ^ "Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan deletes Facebook post congratulating Shibir on Ducsu win". The Business Standard. 10 September 2025.
  34. ^ "'How will this play out in 2026?': Shashi Tharoor asks after Jamaat-e-Islami wins Dhaka varsity polls". Business Today. 11 September 2025.
  35. ^ "Meghmallar Basu Slams Shashi Tharoor". thereport.live. 12 September 2025.