Delhi University Announces DUSU Election 2023 After Four-Year Hiatus Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. To know in detail about the Student Union election date, read below.
In a significant development, Delhi University (DU) has declared that its long-awaited student body elections, known as the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) polls, are scheduled for September 22, 2023. This eagerly anticipated event comes after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DUSU elections, especially the DUSU election 2023, [will] play a crucial role in shaping the university’s student leadership, with positions up for grabs including President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary, alongside members of DU’s central council.
As per the election schedule issued by DU registrar Vikas Gupta for the DUSU election 2023, candidates must submit their nomination papers by September 12, followed by the scrutiny of nominations and the publication of the list on the same day. The withdrawal of nominations can be done until September 13, with the final list of candidates made public on that day.
To accommodate students’ schedules for the DUSU election 2023, voting will take place between 8:30 am and 1 pm for morning batch students and from 3 pm to 7:30 pm for those attending evening classes.
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible to both contest and cast their votes. Chief Election Officer ‘Professor Chandra Shekhar’ emphasized that the entire election process will be conducted electronically, using voting machines (EVMs).
One notable change for this year’s DUSU election 2023 is the potential expansion of the age bracket for candidates. While in the 2019 elections, undergraduate candidates had to be aged 17 to 22 and postgraduate candidates up to 25, the university is contemplating raising these age limits, with an official announcement expected soon.
Which major parties are competing in DUSU election 2023?
Some of the major and renowned student parties in Delhi University include:
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
- National Students’ Union of India (NSUI)
- All India Students Association (AISA)
- Students Federation of India (SFI)
- Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS)
Akshit Dahiya, the current DUSU President representing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), confirmed that his party has already initiated their election campaign. Dahiya stressed the importance of raising awareness to ensure a high voter turnout, particularly among students who have never participated in student elections before.
Ashish Lamba, the incumbent DUSU Secretary affiliated with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), revealed that his party will soon launch their election manifesto. Current DUSU members are actively involved in disseminating information and promoting awareness about the upcoming elections.
The All India Students Association (AISA) has also announced its intention to participate in the elections. In a statement, the party highlighted its role in advocating against online exams and for the reopening of the campus during the pandemic, ultimately leading to the reopening of Delhi University in February 2022.
AISA has additionally been a staunch opponent of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme in Delhi University, championing the cause of quality and accessible education.
DUTA Elections to be held on Sep 27, 2023
Meanwhile, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) elections are scheduled for September 27. The nomination process for teachers will occur on September 19 and 20, with the final list of candidates being released on September 21. These elections will be held at the Arts Building complex and Satyakam Bhawan on DU’s north campus.
On August 12, several teachers’ groups, including the Democratic Teachers’ Front, united to form the Democratic United Teachers’ Alliance, comprising Congress’s Indian National Teachers’ Congress, AAP’s Academic for Action and Development Teachers Association, and Democratic Teachers’ Front, among others. Aditya Narayan Misra has been announced as a candidate for the post of DUTA president, while AK Bhagi from the National Democratic Teachers’ Front currently serves as the DUTA president.
With the resumption of both student and teacher elections, Delhi University is poised for an active and engaged academic year ahead. These elections mark a significant step towards rejuvenating campus life and democratic participation after the prolonged hiatus due to the pandemic.
DUSU plays a major role in Delhi University in ensuring equal rights for DU representatives. Since elections were last held in 2019, the DUSU election 2023 holds very high hopes and enthusiasm among the students of Delhi University.
