The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Friday, 18 September 2026, staged a demonstration outside the Law Centre at Delhi University, alleging that the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) had attempted to rig the ongoing Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections through fraudulent voting. Supporters climbed police barricades and raised slogans as the second phase of polling was underway.

What the ABVP Alleged

ABVP National General Secretary Virendra Singh Solanki claimed that a woman was caught voting with a fake identity card inside the polling booth and subsequently admitted to being an NSUI member. He alleged that more than 100 such individuals had entered the voting premises with fraudulent credentials. 'An attempt was made to conduct fake voting. A girl went inside and was voting with a fake ID card. She has admitted that she belongs to the NSUI and that more than 100 people like this have gone inside,' Solanki said.

Solanki further alleged that fake voting slips carrying the ABVP's name alongside the NSUI's ballot number had been distributed, and that the person caught distributing the slips admitted to being an NSUI worker. He said the individual had been handed over to the police. He also claimed voting at the Law Centre would not resume until the 'fraud people' were identified and cases lodged against them.

DUSU President's Remarks

DUSU President Aryan Maan, also affiliated with the ABVP, alleged that NSUI was 'openly making fake ID cards of students' out of 'frustration of defeat.' He declared that voting at Law Centre-1 would not resume until justice was served to voters at Law Centre-2. These are claims made by the ABVP; the NSUI's response was not immediately available.

Delhi High Court Order on Victory Processions

Amid the election-day tensions, the Delhi High Court issued an order barring candidates, students, supporters, and others from taking out victory processions following the declaration of DUSU results. The court warned that violations could invite criminal and administrative action, and may also amount to contempt of court. Maan welcomed the ruling, saying, 'Now when ABVP will sweep the polls, we won't undertake a victory procession.'

Context and Background

DUSU elections are among the most closely watched student union contests in the country, largely because of their symbolic importance to the parent parties — ABVP is linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while NSUI is the student wing of the Indian National Congress. Allegations of irregularities, booth capturing, and fake voting have surfaced in previous DUSU election cycles, making this year's claims a recurring flashpoint rather than an isolated incident. The Delhi High Court's proactive intervention on victory processions signals growing judicial concern over post-result disorder on campus. The results, when declared, will be watched as an early indicator of student sentiment in the capital ahead of broader electoral cycles.