Archive · 19 Sep 2026
DUSU Polls Face Spending Violations as ABVP Leads Early Counting
Delhi University is counting votes for its student union election.
In the first round, ABVP candidate Yash Dabas was ahead of NSUI candidate Vijay Shankar Meena.
A Left alliance candidate, Ananya Raturi, was further behind.
The election rules say each candidate can spend only ₹5,000.
They also ban printed posters, campaign vehicles, and loudspeakers.
A report said candidates still used cheap printed pamphlets and large campaign activities.
Students also said groups offered food, gifts, and trips to attract voters.
The Delhi High Court has agreed to examine claims that the rules were widely broken.
Thousands of security personnel were deployed during counting.
ABVP's Yash Dabas led NSUI's Vijay Shankar Meena after the first round of DUSU counting.
Dabas received 1,305 votes, Meena 1,191, and Left alliance candidate Ananya Raturi 288.
Candidates reportedly used mass-produced pamphlets, vehicles, gifts, food distributions, and sponsored trips despite campaign restrictions.
The Lyngdoh guidelines cap spending at ₹5,000 per candidate and ban printed materials, vehicles, and loudspeakers.
More than 2,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed as the Delhi High Court agreed to hear a violation-related plea.
- Who
- ABVP, NSUI, and Left alliance candidates contested the DUSU election; Yash Dabas led after the first counting round.
- What
- Delhi University counted votes amid allegations that candidates violated spending and campaign rules.
- When
- Counting began Saturday morning; the Delhi High Court agreed to hear a related plea on September 17.
- Where
- Counting took place at Delhi University's North Campus.
- Why
- The election determined the DUSU central panel for the 2026-27 academic session.
- First-round leader
- Yash Dabas of ABVP
- First-round votes
- Dabas 1,305; Vijay Shankar Meena 1,191; Ananya Raturi 288
- Spending cap
- ₹5,000 per candidate
- Reported pamphlet cost
- Approximately ₹1,200 for 2,000 copies; lower-grade bundles cost ₹300-₹400 per 1,000 sheets
- Election rules
- Printed campaign materials, vehicles, and loudspeakers are prohibited
- Security deployment
- More than 2,000 police and paramilitary personnel
- Election term
- DUSU central panel for the 2026-27 academic session