By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections were held on Thursday with a voter turnout of 39.45%, significantly higher than last year’s 30%. While polling remained largely peaceful, the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) alleged “vote manipulation”.

However, the university officials dismissed the claims. Voting took place across 195 booths at 52 polling stations. Polling was held from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for day scholars and from 3 p.m. onwards for students in the evening shift. Votes will be counted on Friday.

The NSUI claimed that malpractice was reported from Kirori Mal College, Hindu College and Hansraj College. “Complaints have surfaced across colleges that blue ink marks were deliberately placed in front of the [RSS-affiliated] Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidates’ names on EVMs, with the clear intention of influencing voters. This is nothing short of than a blatant attempt to rig the democratic process,” it said.

DUSU Chief Election Officer (CEO) Raj Kishore Sharma rejected the claim. “A team of officials inspected the said colleges, where CCTV cameras were found to be in place, and no cases of manipulation were reported,” he said. Mr. Sharma added that the increased turnout reflected “greater sensitisation” among students on defacement and the conduct of elections in a healthy environment.

‘Stems from frustration’

Hitting out at the NSUI over its “baseless” charge, the ABVP said the allegation reflected the Congress-backed outfit’s “frustration over an impending defeat”. “The ABVP is on course to win all four seats,” it added.

The campaign for this year’s elections saw fewer instances of defacement and adherence to the guidelines issued by the university. Last year, the Delhi High Court had withheld the counting of votes for nearly two months over the defacement of public property. With campaigning through loudspeakers and vehicles banned, much of the outreach this time shifted online.

After polling ended, the EVMs were placed in a strongroom at the multipurpose hall of the university’s sports complex, the DUSU CEO said. Eight candidates are in the fray for the post of president, including ABVP’s Aryan Maan, NSUI’s Joslyn Nandita Choudhary, and Anjali, fielded by the Left-backed All India Students’ Union and Students’ Federation of India.

Currently, DUSU is evenly split between the NSUI and the ABVP.