DU Elections Stricter Rules: Delhi University Plans Tougher Measures for Student Union Polls

Delhi University (DU) is set to introduce stricter measures to ensure fair and clean student union elections. Following issues with rule violations in this year’s Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, the university aims to curb the influence of money and muscle power. The recent elections faced major disruptions, leading to a court intervention. This has stalled the declaration of results for over a month, with the High Court mandating a cleanup of election-related defacement before results can be announced.

DU Elections Stricter Rules: Key Points

1. Court-Ordered Cleanup:
   • Election results are delayed due to a High Court order.
   • The court demanded DU clear defacement caused by posters, graffiti, and banners.
   • The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sought Rs 1 crore in compensation for cleanup expenses across 12 zones.
2. Overspending Violations:
   • DU candidates are reportedly violating campaign spending limits.
   • The Lyngdoh Committee guidelines set a Rs 5,000 limit per candidate.
   • Despite this, candidates used high-end cars, large banners, and expensive promotional materials, flouting the spending cap.
3. Committee on Poll Reforms:
   • A special committee met on Tuesday to discuss election reforms.
   • The committee’s goal is to curb repeated election violations.
   • Proposals included seat reservations for women and measures to reduce overspending and defacement.

DU Elections Stricter Rules: Issues in DU Elections

The DU elections were marred by several issues this year, bringing criticism from both the court and civic agencies. The main problems include:

1. Defacement of Public Property:

• Large-scale graffiti and posters covered DU campuses and surrounding public spaces.
• This prompted civic complaints, leading the court to order DU to compensate cleanup costs.

2. Overspending by Candidates:

• Campaign spending was well beyond the prescribed Rs 5,000 limit.
• High-budget items like luxury cars and large banners undermined the rules.
• These expenditures gave some candidates an unfair advantage, defeating the purpose of maintaining fair competition.

3. Lack of Enforcement of Election Rules:

• DU faced criticism for not enforcing guidelines set by the Lyngdoh Committee and National Green Tribunal (NGT).
• The guidelines are meant to prevent excessive spending and defacement, but DU struggled to keep candidates in line.

DU Elections Stricter Rules: Steps Planned by DU

DU’s new measures aim to prevent these issues from recurring in future elections. Proposed reforms include:

1. Strengthening Rule Enforcement:
   • DU plans to ensure stricter compliance with Lyngdoh Committee rules.
   • This includes enforcing the Rs 5,000 campaign spending limit.
2. Controlling Defacement:
   • The university will implement measures to prevent defacement of public property.
   • Rules restricting the use of posters and graffiti will be enforced more strictly.
3. Seat Reservations for Women:
   • The committee discussed introducing reserved seats for women candidates in the student union elections.
   • This measure aims to promote gender representation and ensure a more inclusive election process.

DU Elections Stricter Rules: The Court’s Role and Future Actions

The High Court’s involvement has pushed DU to act more decisively. The court’s directive was a wake-up call for the university, emphasizing the need for cleaner, fairer elections. DU is expected to present a report on its reform measures to the court on November 11. The upcoming report will outline the university’s action plan for addressing these issues.

DU’s stricter election rules will not only benefit students but also the surrounding community. By enforcing the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, the university can set an example for responsible campaigning, fair competition, and respect for public spaces.

DU Elections Stricter Rules: Summary of DU’s New Election Measures

• Enforcing stricter campaign spending limits.
• Limiting defacement through stringent penalties.
• Considering reserved seats for women candidates.
• Reporting progress to the High Court in November.

DU’s focus on fair, transparent elections marks a significant shift toward a cleaner and more responsible election process, setting a strong precedent for future university elections across the country. The anticipated changes in DU elections stricter rules will ensure a fair and clean campaign environment for all participants.

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