Islamist student wing sweeps Dhaka University polls, BNP alleges 'manipulation'

The student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami swept the Dhaka University's students union elections, the results of which were declared on Wednesday (September 10, 2025), the first such victory for an Islamist student group since Bangladesh's independence in 1971.

The student front of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rejected the results, alleging “planned manipulation” and termed the polls a “farce”.

The Jamaat-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) won nine of the 12 Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) posts, the elections for which were held on Tuesday.

The university authorities declared ICS candidate Sadik Qayem as Vice-President and SM Farhad as General Secretary. The President’s post remains reserved for the university’s vice-chancellor.

Observers say this was the first time since 1971 that an Islamist student group has won any university election in Bangladesh.