(MENAFN) The student faction of Jamaat-e-Islami achieved a decisive triumph in Dhaka University’s student body election, marking the first occasion the Islamist organization has gained control of the influential union since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.

Abu Shadik Kayem, the Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir candidate, was elected president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), while the group also claimed the two other leading positions. Overall, it won 23 out of 28 posts in Tuesday’s contest.

More than 78% of the student body participated during the eight-hour voting process, which university officials described as “largely fair.”

Dhaka University has long been recognized as a hub of political activity in Bangladesh.

Analysts suggest that the election outcome reflects dissatisfaction with previous governments and could influence the nation’s political trajectory.

“Yes, Dhaka University and its student union election are considered to be a paradigm for Bangladesh national politics,” stated Md Shahabul Haque, a professor of political studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

He added that the results indicate discontent with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration: “Jamaat and Chhatrashibir were among the political groups that faced political persecution in the last 15 years under Sheikh Hasina government.”

The previous DUCSU election took place in 2019. Hasina’s Awami League government was ousted in August last year following a student-led uprising, which forced her into exile in India.

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