Polling for Delhi University's Students Union (DUSU) has begun amidst strict security arrangement. "Over 1.3 lakh students will cast their votes at 52 polling centres. The results will be declared on September 13," said DU Chief Election Officer Ashok Prasad.
The polling began at 9.30 am today. The keenly contested DUSU election has 16 candidates in fray for four positions, among which are two independent candidates.
As per the latest update, NSUI's Joint Secretary candidate, Abhishek Chaprana was denied entry to the polling station at the Dayal Singh College. He was later detained by the Delhi Police on the charges of canvassing for votes outside the premise. The NSUI claims Abhishek was illegally detained.
A day before the polling, three students affiliated to the Students' Federation of India (SFI), alleged that they were illegally restrained from filing their nominations for elections. The Delhi High Court had sought the response of the varsity. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva issued notices to Delhi University, its Chief Election officer (CEO) and Station House Officer of Maurice Nagar police station on the petition and listed it for hearing on October 17.
The petition filed by DU students Ravi Kumar Chauhan, Noel Benny and Parmanand Sharma alleged that on September 4, they were going to submit their nomination papers to the office of the CEO when they were allegedly "prevented by suspected members of ABVP" from doing so.
September 4 was the last date to file nominations.
The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has fielded Akshit Dahiya for the post of DUSU president, Pradeep Tanwar for the vice president's post, Yogit Rathee for the general secretary's post and Shivangi Kherwal for the post of joint secretary.
The National Students Union of India (NSUI) has pitted Chetna Tyagi against Akshit Dahiya. This is after 11 years the Congress backed NSUI has fielded a woman candidate for the key post.
The NSUI has fielded Ankit Bharti for the vice president's post, Ashish Lamba for the secretary's post and Abhishek Chaprana for the post of joint secretary.
Left-backed AISA's Damini Kain is a contender for the post of president.
Last year, the DUSU polling had recorded 44.46 per cent voter turnout.
The ABVP had won on three posts last year, while the Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India had won on one post.
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