Excited Students Queue Up as Delhi University Witnesses 42% Voter Turnout in DUSU Elections

The Delhi University (DU) recently held its first Students Union (DUSU) elections after almost four years, recording a voter turnout of 42%. Despite being higher than the last recorded turnout in 2019, it failed to surpass the nearly 11-year-high figure from 2018. The results for all four central panel posts will be announced soon.

The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, held on September 22 after a gap of almost four years, witnessed a voter turnout of 42 per cent. The polling was conducted under heavy police presence and last-minute campaigning by various organisations to attract voters.

Increased Voter Turnout

According to Professor Chander Shekhar, the chief election officer for the polls, this year's voting percentage showed an increase from the previous DUSU elections in 2019 when it stood at 39.90 per cent. However, it fell short of surpassing the nearly eleven-year-high figure recorded in 2018. The turnouts in the years 2018 and 2017 were reported as being at 44.46 per cent and 42.8 per cent respectively.

Elections Amid Pandemic Challenges

The DUSU elections could not be conducted in the years of 2020 and 2021 due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic and potential disturbances to academic calendar prevented their conduct in year of 2022 as well.

Voting Concludes for Central Panel Posts

Voting for all four central panel posts - president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary concluded late on Friday with results set to be announced on Saturday. The roads around the university were found littered with campaign materials while political discussions brewed at local tea stalls.

A Vibrant Campus Atmosphere

The campus was abuzz with excitement as students queued up enthusiastically to cast their votes reflecting a vibrant atmosphere that is typical during student union elections at Delhi University.

In conclusion, despite challenges posed by the pandemic over past two years which led to cancellation of these important student body elections; they have once again been successfully conducted this year albeit with a slightly lower voter turnout than the record high of 2018. The DUSU elections have always been seen as a mirror to national politics and it will be interesting to see how this year's results shape up in that context. With results slated for announcement on Saturday, all eyes are now on who will take up the central panel posts for this term.