Voting for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections commenced on Thursday morning under stringent security measures, with over 600 police personnel deployed to ensure a smooth and fair process. The elections, a significant event in India’s largest university, are a battleground for student political groups vying for influence among Delhi University’s diverse student body. Polling is scheduled in two shifts—8:30 AM to 1:00 PM for day classes and 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM for evening classes—with results expected on September 19.

Approximately 2.8 lakh students across Delhi University’s colleges and departments are eligible to vote, deciding the leadership of the influential DUSU, which advocates for student rights and campus policies. To maintain order, 160 police officers are equipped with body cameras, supplemented by CCTV surveillance and drone monitoring. This heightened security follows past incidents of electoral violence and malpractices, reflecting the high stakes of the contest among rival student factions.

The primary contenders are the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the Left-supported Students’ Federation of India-All India Students’ Association (SFI-AISA) alliance. ABVP has nominated Aryan Maan from the Department of Library Science, NSUI has fielded Joslyn Nandita Choudhary, a postgraduate in Buddhist Studies, and the SFI-AISA alliance has chosen Anjali from Indraprastha College for Women as their candidate.

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Notably, this year’s election adheres strictly to the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, enforced by university authorities to curb electoral malpractices. For the first time in years, campus and hostel walls are free of posters and graffiti, signaling a cleaner campaign environment. The DUSU polls, often seen as a microcosm of national politics, continue to draw attention for their role in shaping student leadership and political discourse.

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