Shibir Supporters Jubilant in Shahbagh as Victory Rally Preparations Begin

As results of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election continued to be announced, candidates of the United Students’ Alliance, backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, appeared to be heading for a sweeping win.

The alliance’s Vice-President (VP) candidate Md Abu Sadiq (widely known as Sadiq Kayem) was leading by a wide margin over his nearest rival. Alongside him, SM Forhad for General Secretary (GS) and Mohiuddin Khan for Assistant General Secretary (AGS) were also maintaining significant leads.

Results had been officially declared from the following halls:
Shamsunnahar Hall, Mohsin Hall, AF Rahman Hall, Rokeya Hall, SM Hall, Zahurul Haq Hall, Jagannath Hall, Shahidullah Hall, Curzon Hall, Fazlul Haq Muslim Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, and Sufia Kamal Hall.

In response to the outcome, Shibir supporters and Jamaat-e-Islami activists gathered at the Shahbagh entrance of Dhaka University. Excitement and jubilation were palpable as preparations for a victory rally began.

At around 3:30 am on Tuesday (9 September), correspondents observed supporters chanting slogans of “Shibir-Shibir” and “Sadiq-Forhad”, expressing their delight at the unfolding results.

A Shibir activist named Arman stated: “For years we have faced repression and torture in the halls of Dhaka University. We could not even stay in the dormitories. This victory belongs to the entire student community of DU, this victory is for all who believe in Bangladesh.”

Despite Shibir’s celebratory atmosphere, BNP-backed VP candidate Md Abidul Islam Khan rejected the results immediately after they began to be declared.

At 2:30 am, he posted on his Facebook profile: “I had predicted this orchestrated manipulation since the afternoon. Insert numbers however you wish. I reject this carefully staged farce.”

The election itself had seen numerous allegations of malpractice. From 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesday, uninterrupted voting was held in 810 booths across eight centres of the campus. During this time, the four competing panels exchanged accusations of violating the electoral code of conduct.

The BNP-aligned panel alleged that ballots for two Shibir-backed candidates had been pre-marked, staging a protest at TSC in response. Later in the night, as counting progressed, further demonstrations were reported in front of the Dhaka University Club, where allegations of ballot box stuffing emerged.

Interestingly, just before the announcement of the DUCSU results, strict instructions were issued by Muhammad Delwar Hossain, former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir and a member of the Central Majlis-e-Shura of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Speaking to leaders and activists stationed in Shahbagh late into the night, he cautioned: “Regardless of the results, even if we win, no slogans or rallies will be permitted.”

He further thanked the activists for their patience and discipline: “You have stayed here together in peace until now. Inshallah, victory will be ours. But even if we win, there will be no procession, no slogans. Our central directive is very clear.”

Election Snapshot