Will Delhi University Students' Union Elections Shape the Future?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Voting is essential for student representation.
- Safety measures are prioritized on polling day.
- Key candidates promise reforms and inclusivity.
- Legal restrictions are in place to ensure fair conduct.
- Students must carry proper identification to vote.
New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) The highly anticipated elections for the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) are set to take place today, with over 275,000 students qualified to participate in what is seen as one of the most significant student polls in India.
The results will determine the leadership of the student body for the coming year.
According to the official announcement, voting will be conducted in two segments: from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for daytime students and from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for evening students. The counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, September 19.
The race for the President's position is mainly a contest among three contenders: the RSS-aligned Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Congress-supported National Students' Union of India (NSUI), and the SFI-AISA alliance, which is backed by Left student organizations.
Notable candidates include Joslyn Nandita Choudhary from NSUI, a postgraduate student in Buddhist Studies; Anjali from SFI-AISA, studying at Indraprastha College for Women; and Aryan Maan of ABVP, pursuing an MA in Library Science. Each faction has unveiled manifestos promising reforms, inclusivity, and enhanced student welfare.
Students who enrolled in DU colleges or departments before September 9, 2025, at 5 p.m. are eligible to vote. First-year students can vote by presenting a valid fee receipt alongside a government-issued ID like Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Driving License if their college ID has not yet been issued.
Second- and third-year students must show valid college identity cards.
To maintain safety, over 600 police personnel will be deployed around the campus, with 160 officers equipped with body-worn cameras. In addition, CCTV cameras and drones will monitor the polling activities.
The DUSU regulations explicitly state that polling hours are set, but all students arriving within the designated times must be allowed to vote.
Candidates and their supporters are prohibited from engaging in severe misconduct, including physical violence or threats against any student, faculty, or staff at the University of Delhi.
The Delhi High Court has implemented restrictions, prohibiting victorious candidates from conducting victory rallies.
It has instructed the Delhi Police, university administration, and civil authorities to take all necessary precautions to avert any disturbances during the elections.
The court further warned that if the elections are not executed satisfactorily, it may contemplate halting the operations of office bearers.