Staff Reporter: Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidates have bagged most of the posts including top three positions of Vice President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS) in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election.

The student wing of Jamaat-e-Islam backed candidate Abu Sadiq Kayem clinched Vice President post with bagging 14,042 votes, while his nearest rival, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed candidate Abidul Islam Khan, got 5,708 votes, Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin formally announced the results last night.

Independent VP candidates Shamim Hossain and Umama Fatema secured 3,884 and 3,389 votes respectively.

In the General Secretary race, Shibir leader SM Farhad received 10,794 votes, defeating JCD's Tanvir Bari Hamim, who secured 5,283 votes as Resistance Council candidate Meghmallar Basu came close with 4,949 votes.

For the post of Assistant General Secretary, Mohammad Mohiuddin Khan of Shibir triumphed with 11,772 votes, while JCD candidate Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed got 5,064 votes and anti-discrimination panel's Ashrefa Khatun bagged 900 votes.

The vote count, which began at the university's Senate Bhaban early today morning, followed a day-long election held on Tuesday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at eight polling centres.

Turnout was reported to be high, with over 70-80 percent of registered students casting their votes at various centres including Rokeya Hall, Jagannath Hall, and F Rahman Hall. Notably, Rokeya Hall recorded over 1,400 votes for Sadiq, while Jagannath Hall saw a lead for Abidul with 1,276 votes.

Despite sporadic allegations, polling was largely peaceful. One polling officer was relieved of duty mid-day, and a journalist tragically died while on assignment during the election.

Observers and candidates praised the large turnout. Independent candidate Umama Fatema earlier expressed hope for a "free and fair election," while JCD's Abidul Islam warned that students would resist any attempt of manipulation.

The sweeping victory of Shibir-backed candidates has been described by many on campus as a "historic moment," with the organization regaining DUCSU leadership after more than five decades.

In the election, Md. Iqbal Haider won Science and Technology Secretary post with bagging 7,833 votes, Umme Salma became Common Room, Canteen and Cafeteria Secretary with 9,920 votes, Jasim Uddin Khan (Khan Jasim) was elected as International Affairs Secretary with 9,706 votes and Musaddak Ali Ibn Mohammad became Literary and Cultural Secretary with 7,782 votes.

In Research and Publication Secretary post, Sanzida Ahmed Tithi won with getting 11,778 votes as Arman Hossain became Sports Secretary with 7,255 votes. For Student Transport Secretary, Md. Asif Abdullah triumphed with 9,061 votes.

Md. Zubair Bin Monsur (Etb Jubair) was elected Social Service Secretary with 7,608 votes, Md. Majharul Islam became Campus Development Secretary with 9,344 votes and M. M. Al Tanmoy (Abdullah Al Tanmoy) elected Health and Environment Secretary with 7,038 votes.

Md. Jakaria (Sakhaoat Jakaria) clinched the post of Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary with securing 11,747 votes.