Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Gen Z Reshapes Delhi University Student Election Campaign
Delhi University students are preparing to choose their student-union leaders.
Voting will happen on September 18, and the results will be announced on September 19.
The biggest groups competing are ABVP and NSUI, with other student organisations also involved.
Students say they care about clean facilities, safe lighting, jobs, libraries, hostels and better campus life.
Some women students also want more women to take part in elections.
The groups are asking students for ideas and preparing manifestos.
They are also using cultural events and volunteers from different states to reach voters.
A disagreement has started over a programme involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi at SRCC.
The final candidate list should become clearer after nominations on September 10.
Delhi University will hold DUSU voting on September 18, with counting and results on September 19.
Students have highlighted sanitation, lighting, placements, libraries, hostels, canteens, noise and women’s representation as key concerns.
ABVP and NSUI are leading preparations, while ASAP, SFI and other groups are also contesting or preparing campaigns.
Both major organisations are developing manifestos and using state-based outreach, cultural programmes and voter-level campaigning.
A dispute has emerged over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s SRCC programme and whether it could affect the election campaign.
- Who
- Students and organisations including ABVP, NSUI, ASAP, SFI and other groups are involved in the DUSU election.
- What
- The organisations are preparing campaigns, candidates and manifestos for four DUSU posts: president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary.
- When
- Nominations are scheduled for September 10, voting for September 18, and counting and results for September 19.
- Where
- The election covers 47 Delhi University colleges and five departments; campaigning is taking place across the university and Delhi.
- Why
- Organisations are seeking student votes while addressing concerns about campus facilities, representation, accountability and the university administration.
NSUI and Critics
ABVP and Supporters
Prime Minister’s SRCC programme
NSUI and Critics
NSUI election in-charge Akhilesh Kumar Yadav questioned why the programme was held after the election code of conduct began and whether it could influence the election.
ABVP and Supporters
ABVP said the programme was a government event and rejected the allegation that it improperly affected the election.
Campaign spending and vehicles
NSUI and Critics
The reported use of vehicles and spending beyond the individual Rs 5,000 limit raises questions about whether campaign practices match the rules, although NSUI said it would try to minimise expenditure.
ABVP and Supporters
ABVP said campaigning across Delhi naturally involves expenditure but maintained that it would try to keep spending low and follow the rule allowing five vehicles.
Election priorities
NSUI and Critics
NSUI is framing its campaign around an “Accountable DU, Accountable DUSU” message and rebuilding its presence among students.
ABVP and Supporters
ABVP is asking students to contribute to its manifesto through a QR code and promoting the message that Delhi University students should shape the university’s future.
- Voting date
- September 18
- Counting and results
- September 19
- Nominations
- September 10
- Posts contested
- President, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary
- DUSU coverage
- 47 colleges and five departments
- Individual campaign limit
- Rs 5,000 under Lyngdoh Committee guidelines
- Estimated DUSU annual fund
- Rs 20-24 lakh