Islami Chhatra Shibir’s landslide victory in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) and Hall Union elections is being widely seen as a reflection of the July uprising and a growing demand for clean and student-focused politics on the campus.
Far beyond the success of Shibir alone, the overall election results echo a broader shift in student sentiment – one that prioritises integrity, accountability and meaningful engagement over traditional partisan loyalties.
Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, secured a sweeping majority by winning 24, out of 26, executive posts, including vice-president (VP) and general secretary (GS), in the Cucsu elections on Wednesday. Shibir candidates Mohammad Ibrahim Rony and Saif Bin Habib were elected VP and GS respectively.
Towfiq, a candidate from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, won the AGS post. Towfiq, known as a frontliner of the mass uprising, also earned a reputation as a prominent student intellectual and campus-based organiser.
An independent candidate won the remaining one post. Voter turnout was reported at approximately 68%, indicating strong student engagement.
Shibir’s dominance across various halls reflected their consolidated grassroots presence, while the overall results signalled a broader student mandate for clean and performance-based leadership.
After decades of limited visibility in leadership positions, Shibir has made a historic comeback by clinching a big win in the Cucsu polls. Shibir They also pulled off a crushing victory in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) elections on 9 September.
When contacted, Associate Professor Mohammad Mozammel Haque from the Department of Philosophy said that Shibir’s victory stems from its consistent organisational strategy and clean public image of its candidates.
“Students no longer want politics of extortion. They want responsible representation – and Shibir has fulfilled that expectation,” said Haque.
This sentiment echoes the spirit of the July uprising when students burst into protests across the country against discrimination.
“The three winners were the leading faces of the July uprising,” said Shahidul Hoque, associate professor of the Department of Communication and Journalism at Chittagong University.
“The students have chosen their leaders based on their past actions – particularly their roles in the July movement,” he added.
According to sources, the JCD panel failed to present a cohesive vision, with limited visible leadership and field-level mobilisation. Their AGS candidate gained support from students.
They also said the JCD and Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad were notably weak in electioneering.
Left-leaning organisations and independents also failed to gain traction. Despite attempts to capitalise on the post-July movement momentum, they were unable to match the outreach and influence of Shibir’s well-established networks in dormitories and academic spaces.
