DUSU election results 2026: Vote counting underway, ABVP leads early college tallies
Synopsis
DUSU 2026 is shaping up as a keenly contested student election — with the highest voter turnout in three years at 40.46% and the Delhi High Court banning victory processions even before results are out. ABVP has swept early college-level counts, setting the stage for a closely watched final tally between Yash Dabas and Vijay Shankar Meena for the presidency.
Key Takeaways
Vote counting for the DUSU election 2026 began on 19 September 2026 amid tight security, with results expected the same day.
Voter turnout reached 40.46% across 52 polling centres — the highest in three years, up from 39.5% last year.
ABVP fielded Yash Dabas for President and Ishu Maurya for Vice-President; NSUI fielded Vijay Shankar Meena and Veer Chatrath respectively.
ABVP swept all key posts at Aditi Mahavidyalaya , Sri Aurobindo College , Dr B.R.
Ambedkar College , Bharati College , Shivaji College , and Ramjas College before university-level results.
The Delhi High Court has barred post-result victory processions and directed Delhi Police to enforce the order on roads, in hostels, and on college premises.
Vote counting for the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election is underway amid tight security on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with results expected to be declared later in the day. The election recorded a voter turnout of 40.46% across 52 polling centres — the highest in three years.
Key Candidates and Contests
The two principal student organisations have fielded their top candidates for the most-watched posts. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has fielded Yash Dabas for President and Ishu Maurya for Vice-President. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has countered with Vijay Shankar Meena for President and Veer Chatrath for Vice-President. The contest between these two organisations has historically served as a proxy indicator of student sentiment at one of India's largest universities.
Record Turnout in Three Years
Polling was conducted in two phases on Friday, 18 September to accommodate students across different class schedules. The first phase ran from 8:30 am to 1 pm, while the second phase for evening students took place from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. The final turnout of 40.46% surpassed last year's figure of 39.5%, continuing a gradual upward trend in student participation. Notably, this is the highest turnout recorded in the past three years.
ABVP Secures Early College-Level Wins
Before the university-level results are declared, the ABVP has already swept key posts at several colleges. The organisation won all major positions at Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Sri Aurobindo College (Morning), Dr B.R. Ambedkar College, Bharati College, and Shivaji College. At Ramjas College, ABVP candidates won the posts of President, Secretary, Central Councillor, and Internal Complaints Committee representative, adding to a growing early tally ahead of the final university-level announcement.
Security Arrangements and Court Directives
Delhi University has 91 colleges spread across its North and South campuses, of which 52 colleges and faculties directly participate in the DUSU electoral process. Several prominent institutions — including St Stephen's College, Lady Shri Ram College, and Jesus and Mary College — do not take part. Authorities have implemented heightened security to ensure a peaceful count. In a notable development, the Delhi High Court has barred victory processions following the results and directed the Delhi Police to ensure that no such procession is held on roads, in hostels, or inside college premises after the results are declared.
What Comes Next
The final university-level results for the DUSU President and Vice-President posts are expected to be announced on Saturday evening. The outcome will be closely watched as a barometer of organised student politics in Delhi, with both the ABVP and NSUI holding strong historical stakes in the election.
Point of View
The BJP's ideological ally, and the NSUI, the Congress's student wing. A third consecutive ABVP sweep would reinforce the organisation's ground dominance at India's largest university. The Delhi High Court's pre-emptive ban on victory processions, however, signals that authorities are wary of the election tipping into street-level disorder — a pattern that has marred past DUSU results. The uptick in turnout is worth noting: student disengagement has long been cited as a structural weakness of campus democracy, and three years of rising participation suggest that may be changing, even if the contest remains a two-horse race between the same two national organisations.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DUSU election and when are the 2026 results expected?
The Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election is the annual poll for student body leadership at Delhi University, one of India's largest universities. Counting of votes began on 19 September 2026, with results expected to be declared later the same day.
Who are the main candidates in DUSU election 2026?
The ABVP has fielded Yash Dabas for President and Ishu Maurya for Vice-President. The NSUI has fielded Vijay Shankar Meena for President and Veer Chatrath for Vice-President. Both contests are the most closely watched of the election.
What was the voter turnout in the DUSU election 2026?
Voter turnout was recorded at 40.46% across 52 polling centres — the highest in three years and marginally up from 39.5% in the previous year. Polling was held in two phases on 18 September to accommodate students across different class schedules.
Why did the Delhi High Court ban victory processions after DUSU results?
The Delhi High Court issued a directive barring victory processions following the DUSU election results and ordered Delhi Police to enforce the ban on roads, in hostels, and inside college premises. The move reflects longstanding concerns about post-result disorder during student union elections in Delhi.
Which colleges do not participate in the DUSU election?
Several prominent institutions, including St Stephen's College, Lady Shri Ram College, and Jesus and Mary College, do not participate in the DUSU electoral process. Of Delhi University's 91 colleges, only 52 colleges and faculties are part of the DUSU election system.
