Delhi University (DU) students welcomed a significant decision by the Delhi High Court on Monday, allowing the university to proceed with counting the votes for its student union elections, held in September. The high court has set November 26 as the deadline for the vote counting process, provided the university is satisfied that cleanup measures by student candidates have been completed.
Court’s Directives and Cleanup Requirements
A bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela addressed the case, highlighting that while many college properties were cleaned, some areas still displayed posters and graffiti. The court noted that the candidates assured the removal of these remaining materials within a week. The order specified that DU could initiate the vote counting if it was satisfied with the cleanup by November 26.
University Plans and Student Reactions
Following the court’s decision, the DUSU election office confirmed that DU would hold a meeting on Tuesday to finalize the date for the vote count announcement. The delay, which had persisted for over a month, marks a first in DU’s history.
Ashutosh Singh, national media convenor of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), expressed relief over the court’s directive, urging the university to expedite the results and consider future reforms. Similarly, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) welcomed the move but emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability during the counting process.
Background of the Delay
The DUSU elections, conducted on September 27, faced a halt when the high court intervened on September 28, ordering the suspension of vote counting. This was to ensure that public property defaced during election campaigning was restored to its original condition.
Student leaders from both ABVP and NSUI have highlighted the importance of maintaining student trust and avoiding similar disruptions in future elections. The upcoming vote count will bring closure to an election that saw robust student engagement across DU campuses.
