How Shibir secured landslide wins at universities including Jagannath
In the recently held JnUCSU election, the Shibir-backed panel “Odommo Jobiyan Oikya” won 16 of the 21 positions.
From the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) to Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU), members of panels backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir have won most positions, including the top three posts, in five consecutive student union elections.
In the recently held JnUCSU election, the Shibir-backed panel "Odommo Jobiyan Oikya" won 16 of the 21 positions. This was the first-ever student union election in the history of Jagannath University.
At this university with no male dormitories, the Shibir-backed panel's victory is attributed to long-term strategy, systematic engagement with students during the previous regime, and welfare-oriented activities. Sending gifts to the lone female dormitory, providing meals to students at different times, and offering financial assistance helped ensure their sweeping win.
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According to observers, distinct election strategies for each university, long-term preparation, and fragmentation of anti-Shibir votes were among the key reasons behind Shibir's dominance.
Analysts also link Shibir's victories in student union elections to its "covert" presence on campuses during the Awami League rule. They believe that the atmosphere of intimidation of that era has had a lasting impact on students' psychology, which Shibir capitalised on.
Engagement with students
Recently, the As-Sunnah Foundation provided residential facilities for Jagannath University students under its "Medhabi Project". Students said Shibir's influence over, and support for, those under the housing scheme played a significant role in the election outcome.
As a charitable organisation, the foundation stepped in to address student housing shortages, benefiting some students who had long struggled with accommodation. Many students viewed Shibir's influence within the project positively though the student organisation officially denies conducting any political activities among the beneficiaries.
A student residing in the As-Sunnah project housing, who requested anonymity, said, "The Shibir-backed panel was my first choice. Their political foresight and altruistic attitude impressed me. They always step in when students are in trouble."
Candidates from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, Shibir's closest rival, said they had failed to build connections with students during the Hasina era and lacked adequate election preparation. They also claimed that Shibir managed to build control among students by concealing its organisational identity.
Imran Hossain Imon, a member candidate of the Chhatra Dal-backed Oikyoboddho Nirbhik Jobiyan panel at Jagannath University, said, "During Hasina's authoritarian rule, we were not even allowed to enter campus, while many who are now Shibir activists were seen alongside Chhatra League members. Our honesty about our political identity, and Shibir's covert strategy, are probably why we lost."
Although Chhatra League prevented Chhatra Dal activists from entering campuses, Shibir activists were able to blend in and maintain a strong campus presence.
Pattern almost same
The same pattern contributed to Shibir's landslide victories in student union elections at other universities. Through the selection of batch representatives, Shibir activists indirectly took control of halls following the 2024 mass uprising.
Students said Shibir used its long-standing network to organise well before the election schedule was announced while other groups failed to get organised even after the schedule was declared.
During the campaigning, Shibir highlighted its organisational identity, past injustices and repression faced over the last 15 years, portraying itself as victimised, and capitalised on its reputation for integrity.
Speaking anonymously after the Ducsu election, a Chhatra Dal candidate from a residential hall told The Business Standard, "Even two days before nomination submission, we were not informed whether we would contest the election. We were kept in uncertainty. If we had known that candidates from our session would run for VP and GS, we would have prepared accordingly. Even indirect signals from the organisation would have helped."
Social media not real picture?
Even a number of candidates popular on social media failed to perform well in the student union elections. Although students initially responded positively to their promises, the results ultimately did not favour them.
Ivan Tahsib, VP candidate from the Maulana Bhashani Brigade, a panel widely discussed on Facebook, said, "Shibir had long-standing connections with students. They won with student votes. They must ensure that JnUCSU does not take any anti-student stance."
In addition, the fact that many university social and cultural organisations have been indirectly under Shibir's influence for several years also helped its electoral success in universities. Shibir-run university-centric coaching centres and welfare activities further strengthened its position.
Sahed Hossain, a member of the Jahangirnagar University-based cultural organisation Swachintan, told TBS that Shibir's greatest strategy in the Jucsu election was recognising its own vote bank and splitting opponents' vote banks.
He added that attempts were made via various social media pages to undermine rival candidates while glorifying Shibir-backed candidates and their ideas, which ultimately worked in Shibir's favour.
Baki Billah, a key organiser of the Democratic Rights Committee and a former student leader, told The Business Standard that two major factors lay behind Shibir's electoral success. "First, the old covert networks that existed within the Chhatra League effectively remained a 'running force' for Shibir after the 5 August fall of Hasina in 2024.
"Many individuals with experience in power politics during previous regimes now hold influential positions within Shibir, giving them an advantage in understanding campus power dynamics and student psychology."
The second and more decisive factor was students' fear of a return to old repressive power politics on campus. "This anxiety intensified ahead of the Ducsu election, particularly after Chhatra Dal announced hall committees. As a result, students opted for Shibir, which they viewed as a comparatively 'safer' political force," he said.
However, Shibir itself views its student-friendly activities as the main reason behind its victories. The organisation believes it has presented a realistic vision of a safe and student-oriented campus that aligns with students' aspirations.
Ibrahim Khalil, just elected education and research secretary of the Jagannath University Students' Union, said, "Shibir has created confidence that it can play an effective role in securing students' rights. Its consistent past work helped earn students' trust. At the same time, the overall political influence across four campuses was reflected in the Jagannath election.
"In the new political trend that emerged after 5 August, students believe Shibir can deliver the inclusive, occupation-free campus that Generation Z wants."
