The University of Delhi (DU) is set to announce the results of the highly anticipated Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections on November 21, 2024. Originally slated for immediate release following the September 27 voting, the results were postponed due to a Delhi High Court stay order. The delay stemmed from a widespread defacement of public spaces with campaign materials, which prompted the court to take action, calling for cleanup efforts before lifting the stay.
The High Court, having reviewed the defacement issues, lifted the stay on November 18, allowing DU to resume preparations for the announcement. The court stipulated that results must be released by November 26, with DU officials opting for the earlier date of November 21 to carry out vote counting and release the outcomes for both the central DUSU panel and individual college representatives.
This year’s DUSU election saw the lowest voter turnout in over a decade, with only 51,379 students participating out of 1.45 lakh eligible voters. The election process included Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the central DUSU panel positions—president, vice president, secretary, and joint secretary—while traditional ballot papers were used to elect college representatives.
The counting of votes is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. on November 21 at DU’s Conference Centre, overseen by an Election Commission team to ensure a transparent and orderly process. University officials are taking significant measures to maintain security and impartiality throughout the process. According to a DU official quoted by PTI, “Preparations are underway for the November 21 counting. Most of the cleaning work has already been completed. The EVMs and ballot papers will be opened in the presence of the Election Commission’s team to maintain transparency.”
In addition to the Election Commission’s oversight, security protocols for the vote storage process were stringent. EVMs were stored in a strong room at DU’s examination department, monitored continuously by police, while ballot boxes remained securely held within individual colleges. This careful handling underscores DU’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the voting process and ensuring that all votes are safely stored until counting.
The delay in announcing the DUSU election results has sparked mixed reactions from students, with some concerned about the impact of the defacement incident on campus policies. Others, however, are optimistic that the court’s intervention may lead to stricter regulations on campaign activities in the future. As DU prepares for the November 21 results announcement, student anticipation remains high, with the results expected to shape student leadership and policy at one of India’s largest and most influential universities.
