2025 Dhaka University Central Students' Union elections
Students' union election in Dhaka University
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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 (USA) won a landslide victory in the election, with Shadik Kayem of Shibir won as vice-president (VP), S M Farhad of Shibir as general secretary (GS) and Mohiuddin Khan of Shibir as assistant general secretary (AGS).[4]
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9 September 2025
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| Registered | 39,775[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 73.42% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Vice-President election | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
| Alliance | Vice President | Organization(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Secretary | |||
| Assistant General Secretary | |||
| United Students' Alliance[14][15] | Shadik Kayem | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | |
| S M 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 "Pro-Bangladesh Students' Unity", "Pratirodh Parshad" and "Unvanquished 71–Impressible 24" did not fill any candidate for the post and endorsed her.[23][22]
Results
Central committee
| Party | Seats | +/– | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | 16 |  16 | |
| Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha | 2 | 2 | |
| Inqilab Moncho | 1 | New | |
| United People's Bangladesh | 1 | New | |
| Pahari Chhatra Parishad | 1 | 1 | |
| Independent[b] | 7 | 7 | |
| Total | 28 | – | |
| Elected Candidate | Designation | Organization | Panel | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadik Kayem | Vice-president | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | United Students Alliance | 14,042 |
| S M Farhad | General Secretary | 10,794 | ||
| Muhammad Mohiuddin Khan | Assistant General Secretary | 11,772 | ||
| Fatema Tasnim Juma | Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary | Inqilab Moncho | 10,631 | |
| Umme Salma | Common Room, Reading Room and Cafeteria Secretary | Independent | 9,920 | |
| Jashimuddin Khan | International Affairs Secretary | 9,706 | ||
| Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad | Literature and Culture Secretary | 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 | 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 | 11,747 | |
| Md Mazharul Islam | Career Development Secretary | 9,344 | ||
| Sabikunnahar Tamanna | Executive Member | Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha | 10,084 | |
| Sorbo Mitra Chakma | Executive Member | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | 8,988 | |
| Imran Hossain | Executive Member | 6,256 | ||
| Mosammat Afsana Akter | Executive Member | Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha | 5,747 | |
| Tazinur Rahman | Executive Member | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | 5,690 | |
| Raihan Uddin | Executive Member | 5,082 | ||
| Md Miftahul Hossain Al Maruf | Executive Member | 5,015 | ||
| Anas Ibn Munir | Executive Member | 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 | 4,865 | ||
| Md Shahinur Rahman | Executive Member | 4,390 | ||
| Umma Uswatun Rafia | Executive Member | Independent | Unaffiliated | 4,209 |
Vice-President election
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadik Kayem[26] | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | 14,042 | 47.99 | |
| Abidul Islam Khan | Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal | 5,708 | 19.51 | |
| Shameem Hossen | Independent | 3,883 | 13.27 | |
| Umama Fatema | Independent | 3,389 | 11.58 | |
| Abdul Kader | Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad | 1,103 | 3.77 | |
| Md. Jamal Uddin Khalid | Swadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad | 503 | 1.72 | |
| Bin Yamin Molla | Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad | 136 | 0.46 | |
| Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi | Independent (PP) | 68 | 0.23 | |
| Yasin Arafat | Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh | 62 | 0.21 | |
| Others | 365 | 1.25 | ||
| Total | 29,259 | 100.00 | ||
| Source: Dhaka University Syndicate[27] | ||||
General Secretary election
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S M Farhad[26] | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | 10,794 | 37.64 | |
| Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim | Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal | 5,283 | 18.42 | |
| Meghmallar Basu | Bangladesh Students' Union | 4,949 | 17.26 | |
| Arafat Chowdhury | Independent | 4,044 | 14.10 | |
| Abu Baker Mazumder | Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad | 2,131 | 7.43 | |
| Md. Ashikur Rahman | Independent | 526 | 1.83 | |
| Al Sadi Bhuiyan | Independent | 271 | 0.95 | |
| Md. Khairul Ahsan Marzan | Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh | 163 | 0.57 | |
| Sabina Yasmin | Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad | 148 | 0.52 | |
| Others | 368 | 1.28 | ||
| Total | 28,677 | 100.00 | ||
| Source: Dhaka University Syndicate[27] | ||||
Assistant General Secretary election
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohiuddin Khan[26] | Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir | 11,772 | 41.64 | |
| Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed | Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal | 5,064 | 17.91 | |
| Tahmid Al Muddassir | Independent | 3,006 | 10.63 | |
| Md. Jabir Ahmed Jubel | Revolutionary Students Unity of Bangladesh | 1,511 | 5.34 | |
| Mohiuddin Rony | Independent | 1,137 | 4.02 | |
| Ashrefa Khatun | Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad | 900 | 3.18 | |
| Md. Ashikur Rahman Jim | Independent | 796 | 2.82 | |
| Fateha Sharmin Anny | Laxmipur District Students Welfare Society | 501 | 1.77 | |
| Hasib Al-Islam | Independent | 500 | 1.77 | |
| Sanjana Afifa Aditi | Independent | 373 | 1.32 | |
| Aditi Islam | Socialist Students' Front | 367 | 1.30 | |
| Farhad Hossain | Independent | 366 | 1.29 | |
| Rakibul Islam | Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad | 277 | 0.98 | |
| Mahiuddin Abid | Independent | 253 | 0.89 | |
| Zahed Ahmad | Independent | 242 | 0.86 | |
| Akash Biswas Emu | Independent | 222 | 0.79 | |
| Syed Md. Samir Faiyaz | Independent | 211 | 0.75 | |
| Armanul Haq | Independent | 186 | 0.66 | |
| Ala Uddin | Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh | 136 | 0.48 | |
| Ahnaf Hossain Chowdhury Adil | Independent | 83 | 0.29 | |
| Others | 367 | 1.30 | ||
| Total | 28,270 | 100.00 | ||
| Source: Dhaka University Syndicate[27] | ||||
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 Khan | 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 Khan | 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 Khan | 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 Khan | 575 | ||||
| S M 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 Khan | 434 | ||||
| Umama Fatema | 403 | ||||
| Shamim Hossain | 412 | ||||
| Abdul Kader | 59 | ||||
| Bin Yamin Molla | 4 | ||||
| S M 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 | |||
| S M 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 Khan | 423 | ||||
| Umama Fatima | 547 | ||||
| Shamim Hossain | 485 | ||||
| Abdul Quader | 55 | ||||
| Bin Yamin Molla | 0 | ||||
| S M Farhad | 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 Khan | 186 | ||||
| Umama Fatema | 79 | ||||
| Abdul Kader | 91 | ||||
| Shamim Hossain | 122 | ||||
| S M 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 Khan | 187 | ||||
| Umama Fatema | 62 | ||||
| Abdul Kader | 55 | ||||
| Shamim Hossain | 94 | ||||
| Bin Yamin Molla | 4 | ||||
| S M 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 Khan | 248 | ||||
| Umama Fatema | 151 | ||||
| Shamim Hossain | 131 | ||||
| Abdul Kader | 70 | ||||
| S M 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]
Indian politician and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, expressed his concerns over Chhatra Shibir's victory on Twitter.[34] Bangladesh Students' Union 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]