The University of Delhi had scheduled student union elections for the session 2024-25 for September 27,2024. From over 52 colleges had cast their votes for electing a new president, vice president, secretary and joint secretary.
Amidst the campaign season, there were reports of defacement and property damage on which a notice had also been issued which stated ,“The DUSU election office is keeping a close watch over the display of banners, posters and the number of vehicles used in rallies and other modes of canvassing by different candidates. These should be strictly within the limits mentioned in the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations,”.
Later Delhi High court ruled, Voting will happen however counting would not take place until the clearance of college premises from posters and banners.
In the latest update, On Wednesday, October 9, the Delhi High directed the candidates of Delhi University students’ Union (DUSU) to restore campus structures which were defaced. The court, which had previously halted the counting and announcement of results on September 28, emphasized that its intention was to convey a strong message against such violations rather than disrupt the election process. "Why don't you clean up the mess.
In addition , the court further recalled that people were spending so much money and posters and stickers were being thrown over there in the air during the elections. "You as candidates must correct the system. You are the leader. You will tell the other followers of yours that please don't do this, please clean up the university," it asserted.
The day the place is cleaned up, we will allow the counting of votes the very next day," a bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said.The court has granted time to the candidates, petitioner, MCD, and DMRC to file their status reports and listed the matter for October 21.
The elections were scheduled for September 27, 2024.
Counting was halted due to defacement and property damage on campus
The court directed candidates to restore defaced campus structures before counting could proceed.
The Lyngdoh Committee provides guidelines for student elections, including rules on campaigning and canvassing.
Counting will resume the day after the campus is cleaned up, as per the court's directive.