As campaigning intensifies for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, scheduled for September 18, student organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), are increasingly relying on handwritten flyers and name cards. This shift comes in response to tightened campaign rules implemented by the university, which restrict the use of pamphlets and printed materials to prevent littering and damage to property.
New Campaign Tactics Emerge Amidst Stricter Regulations
The university has enforced stricter guidelines for the DUSU elections, moving away from traditional printed campaign materials. Instead, candidates and their supporters are turning to cadres and student networks to create handwritten materials. This approach, while labour-intensive, aims to comply with new regulations that discourage defacement of public spaces and the use of printed flyers, which were previously a significant campaign tool. The cost of producing handwritten materials, though higher per piece than printed flyers, is being managed through volunteer efforts and re-use of cards.
These new campaign tactics are a direct consequence of the university administration’s efforts to maintain order and prevent disruptions during the election period. Restrictions have been placed on vehicle convoys, with a cap of five vehicles per candidate. The use of election stickers on vehicles is prohibited, and heavy machinery like tractors and JCBs, as well as animals, are banned from campaigning. Unauthorised vehicles parked on university territory face towing and fines. Furthermore, the distribution of printed flyers, posters, and banners is strictly forbidden, with campaigning largely confined to designated areas such as the ‘Wall of Democracy’.
Enhanced Security and Compliance Measures
In addition to campaign material restrictions, the university has also bolstered security measures and introduced new compliance rules. A maximum of five members are allowed on university or college premises for campaigning at any given time, ensuring that academic activities are not disrupted. Male members are barred from entering girls’ colleges and hostels, except for the candidates themselves. Parking on roads adjacent to North and South campuses and DU colleges is prohibited, with violators facing legal action. Security arrangements include round-the-clock police patrolling and the maintenance of entry registers at security barricades to monitor outside vehicles.
The university has also tightened rules for hostel premises, restricting outside visitors and monitoring hostel canteens. These measures are part of a broader effort to ensure the security of students and maintain the smooth functioning of academic and residential life across the university. The requirement of a ₹1 lakh security bond, previously introduced to deter property defacement, has been dropped this year following backlash from student bodies who argued it financially disadvantaged less affluent candidates. Instead, candidate compliance is now monitored through security oversight, with campus violations leading directly to disqualification rather than monetary forfeitures.
Organisations Adapt to Evolving Election Landscape
Student organisations like ABVP and NSUI are adapting to this evolving election landscape. While earlier campaign strategies involved large rallies and widespread use of printed materials, the current emphasis is on grassroots campaigning through student networks and the creation of handmade campaign items. This requires significant coordination and volunteer involvement. The shift also highlights the administration’s commitment to enforcing regulations aligned with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, aimed at fostering a more disciplined and equitable election process.
The tightened rules aim to curb malpractices such as defacement of public property and ensure that campaigns do not disrupt academic activities. The university has established monitoring committees at college levels, with faculty members and local police, to oversee election-related activities and promote adherence to campaign guidelines. Candidates are required to submit nomination forms with written undertakings pledging compliance, with violations risking disqualification.
Despite the new measures, minor clashes and allegations of misconduct between competing student groups have been reported in previous years, indicating the enduring intensity of DUSU polls. However, the emphasis on stricter adherence to campaign rules and enhanced security signifies an attempt to promote a more orderly and fair election process within the university.
The Chenab Times News Desk