Islamist student wing sweeps Dhaka University polls

DHAKA: Bangladesh Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing on Wednesday swept the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election, the first such victory for it since the country's independence.

The Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS)-backed panel defeated the student front of former PM Khaleda Zia's BNP, an outcome, many believe, could have far-reaching implications ahead of the Feb parliamentary election as campus politics, particularly that of Dhaka University, has often influenced the country's broader political landscape.

Student elections are scheduled in three other major universities in the coming months, where the Jamaat has also strengthened its position since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League govt last year.

The ICS-backed panel won 23 of 28 DUCSU posts, the elections for which were held on Tuesday. ICS candidate Shadik Kayem was elected vice-president and SM Farhad general secretary. The post of the president remains reserved for the vice-chancellor.